China quake toll rises to 2,203

QINGHAI - The toll in the 7.1 magnitude quake in China’s northwestern Qinghai province has risen to 2,203, officials said Saturday.

Seventy-three people were still missing since the quake April 14, Xinhua quoted the officials as saying.

The provincial government said Saturday it will raise the monthly allowance for elderly and disabled people and children affected in the quake from 600 yuan to 1,000 yuan ($146) per person for three months. Families of the dead will receive 8,000 yuan.

The epicentre of the quake was in the Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Yushu in Qinghai province.