DUSHANBE, April 15, 2010, Asia-Plus  -- President Emomali Rahmon has sent a telegram of condolences to his Chinese counterpart, President Hu Jintao, and the people of China over the deadly earthquake that struck China’s northwest province Qinhai early on Wednesday.

President Rahmon also asked to convey condolences to the families and friends of those killed by the earthquake.

A magnitude 7.1 earthquake, centered in the mountains that divide Qinghai province from the Tibet Autonomous Prefecture, killed 617 people and injured 9,980 other people.  But 313 people are missing and the death toll is expected to rise, international media report.