China quake toll rises to 1,706

BEIJING - The death toll in the 7.1-magnitude quake in China’s Qinghai province has risen to 1,706, it was announced Sunday.

At least 256 people were still missing, Xinhua quoted the rescue headquarters as saying.

The devastating quake, which struck Yushu prefecture Wednesday morning, injured over 12,000 people. Of this, 1,424 were in critical condition, the news agency said.