China quake toll rises to 181

Beijing, April 21 (IANS) The death toll in the strong earthquake that rattled China's Sichuan province has risen to 181, Xinhua reported Sunday.

Of the dead, 164 deaths were reported in Ya'an city and eight in Chengdu city, the China Earthquake Administration (CEA) said.

At least 6,700 were injured, including 494 in serious condition, it said.

The quake hit Lushan county of Ya'an Saturday morning. The CEA has recorded 1,339 aftershocks in the epicentre Lushan county as of Sunday noon.