The death toll from a magnitude-6.8 earthquake that struck southwest China's Sichuan Province has risen to 74 as of 9 p.m. Tuesday, Xinhua News Agency reported Wednesday, citing two local emergency departments from Sichuan.

Forty victims were found in Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in Sichuan and 34 others in Ya'an City.

Minor aftershocks are still rattling the areas after the first strong shake hit on Monday. 

According to Xinhua, at least 26 people are still missing and at least 259 people are injured.  

A press briefing is expected later today to update the public on the latest development.