The quake death toll has risen to 55,239 in Sichuan alone as of 7:00 p.m.,Thursday, said Li Chengyun, vice governor of Sichuan on Friday in Beijing.

About 83,988 people were rescued. The quake also injured 281,066, while 24,949 are still missing, said Li.

(Xinhua News Agency May 23, 2008)