Final China quake toll near 3,000 dead and missing

Children try to protect themselves from sandstorms in the quake-hit Gyegu town in Yushu county, Qinghai province April 19, 2010.

BEIJING (Reuters) - Nearly 3,000 people are dead or missing after a strong quake in China's northwest last month, the official Xinhua agency said on Monday, giving a final toll for the tremor in largely Tibetan Yushu county.

The April 14 quake killed 2,698 people, and 270 are still missing, Xinhua quoted the vice governor of Qinghai province, Zhang Guangrong, as saying at a news conference.

The figures were a significant increase from previous tolls given by the government.

Among the victims were 199 students and one Hong Kong resident, and all but 11 of the dead had been identified, Zhang added.

The magnitude 6.9 quake hit a remote, mountainous region and most of the dead were ethnic Tibetans in the devastated county seat, Gyegu.

Rescue efforts were complicated by poor transport links, difficult weather and freezing temperatures.

China has allocated 9 billion yuan ($1.32 billion) for reconstruction this year, with a three-year target for rebuilding homes, schools and roads, state media have reported.

(Reporting by Emma Graham-Harrison; Editing by Sugita Katyal)