A rescue worker climbs down a slope using a rope in Moxi township of Luding county, Sichuan province on Sept 6, 2022. [Photo by Cheng Xueli/Provided to chinadaily.com.cn via Sichuan Forest Fire Department]

The death toll from the magnitude 6.8 earthquake that hit Luding county in Sichuan province on Monday rose to 74 at 9 pm on Tuesday, local governments said.

Among the dead, 40 were from Luding in the Ganzi Tibetan autonomous prefecture, and the remaining 34 were from Shimian county in neighboring Ya'an city, according to a statement released on Wednesday morning.

The number of injured in both counties rose to 259 and 26 people are still listed as missing.

Rescue teams rushed to the epicenter after the 6.8-magnitude quake jolted Luding county at 12:52 pm on Monday. The Ministry of Finance said on Wednesday that together with the Ministry of Emergency Response, it has allocated 50 million yuan ($7.17 million) in disaster relief funds.

According to the provincial transport department, the road connecting the county seat of Luding to Moxi township, where the Hailuogou Glacier Forest Park is located and which was the area worst hit by the quake, had been reopened by 4 pm on Tuesday, making search and rescue operations easier.

Meanwhile, fire and rescue teams continue to evacuate people stranded in mountainous areas in Luding's Detuo township, according to the provincial emergency management bureau. Landslides caused by the quake destroyed roads to two villages creating a barrier lake. Since Wednesday morning, nine boats have been dispatched to evacuate more than 700 villagers and more rescue workers have been dispatched to continue searching the villages, it added.

By CUI JIA