China death toll jumps by 10,000 to more than 51,000

Beijing: The death toll from the worst earthquake to hit China in three decades has risen to more than 51,000, Chinese officials said on Thursday.

The confirmed figure now stands at 51,151, a jump of almost 10,000 from the day before, Cabinet spokesman said.

Close to 30,000 people remain missing and 300,000 are injured.

Millions have been left homeless by the 7.9 magnitude earthquake that hit China's Sichuan province on May 12.

The government renewed an international appeal Thursday for help in housing some of the 5 million homeless survivors, asking for more than 3.3 million tents.