The death toll in China's major earthquake increased by 1,278 to 41,353 as 12:00 p.m. Wednesday, according to the Information Office of the State Council.

And 274,683 people were injured and 32,666 missing in the 8.0-magnitude quake that jolted southwestern Sichuan Province on May 12.

(Xinhua News Agency May 21, 2008)