According to the Yushu Earthquake Relief Headquarters, there were still 234 people missing after Wednesday's earthquake. Of the injured, 1,174 have been in a critical condition, and 4,200 other have already been treated and released from hospital.

Thursday's rescue efforts were hampered by unstable bridges and collapsed roadways, making it difficult for heavy equipment to get to hard-hit areas like Jiegu, the town nearest the epicenter.

But rescuers were able to pull four survivors from a collapsed guest house in the area on Thursday afternoon, state-run television reported. The rescue occurred after five hours of digging. More than 1,000 people have been saved altogether.

The quake destroyed about 15,000 homes in and around the Yushu prefecture, and has caused more than 100,000 people to evacuate the area.

Officials have sent 20,000 tents, 50,000 items of winter clothing and 50,000 quilts to the survivors.

The Chinese government has allocated 200 million yuan (US$29 million) in relief aid, reported China's Ministry of Civil Affairs.