Premier Wen Jiabao says China’s death toll has passed 60,000 and could rise to 80,000 or more.

Wen’s estimate Saturday was a sharp increase over the 55,000 deaths reported earlier by the government.

Wen made the comment as he and United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon visited Yingxiu, a town near the epicenter of the May 12 quake.

Wen said fatalities “may further climb to a level of 70,000, 80,000 or more.”