China earthquake death toll rises to 144

Of that number, 113 people were killed in the Gansu province and the 31 others fell victim in the province of Qinghai, the updated figure shows.

Three more people are still missing in the latter province, according to TASS.

A magnitude-6.2 earthquake struck in the small hours on Monday, December 18. The epicenter of the seismic event was located at a depth of 10 kilometers.

Weathermen say night temperatures may drop to as low as -14 Centigrade in that region in the next few days.

MP/PR