The official death toll in the worst natural disaster in three decades in China soared to 51,151 which is expected to rise further sharply with many more thousands still reported missing even 10 days after the quake struck.

More than 50,000 people, the original estimated toll figure, have died in Sichuan province alone, which bore the brunt of the 12th May disaster that has also left 288,431 people injured, the Information office of the State Council or the Cabinet said.

The toll shot up by nearly 10,000 from Wednesday.

Official news agency said Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao flew to the disaster zone on his second trip to oversee the relief work, as the country faced a mammoth task of sheltering millions of people rendered homeless by the quake.

No miracle rescue was reported on Thursday as hopes of finding survivors under tens of thousands of collapsed buildings of schools, houses, hospitals and factories tapered off with authorities now focusing on dealing with the dead bodies and injured and providing immediate shelter to millions.

China continued to scramble for tents and said there was a "big gap" in the supply and the actual requirement.

Foreign countries and organisation had provided 150,000 tents to quake-battered areas.

"Currently, we are in urgent need of tents. Because many victims are lacking shelter," Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang told reporters.

More than 3.3 million were needed but 400,000 had been sent so far. "It is a big gap. We welcome international assistance in this regard," he said.

Source: By DDNEWS