Authorities in southwest China's Sichuan Province said at least 55 people died and 600 people were injured in the province after a powerful earthquake jolted the area on Monday.

In Chengdu, the provincial capital, at least 45 died and more than 600 people were injured, said an official with the Sichuan Provincial Seismological Bureau, citing latest statistics. Fifty-eight of them are critically injured, he added.

Four were found dead in the Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, and another five died in the Zhongjiang County, southwest of Wenchuan, the epicenter of the quake, he said.

The casualties added to one death from a water tower collapse in Santai County, in the city of Mianyang.

The strong earthquake, measuring 7.8 on the Richter scale, shook the southwestern part of China at 2:28 PM on Monday, according to the State Seismological Bureau (SSB).

China's Ministry of Civil Affairs said at least 107 and 34 were injured in provinces and municipality of Sichuan, Gansu, Chongqing and Yunnan by 6:00 PM on Monday. It is not yet confirmed whether the latest casualties in Sichuan had been included in the national tally.

Authorities said the casualties are expected to continue to rise as more bodies dug out from fallen buildings.

(Xinhua News Agency May 13, 2008)