A 6.8 magnitude earthquake has caused damage to approximately 1,000 homes in a remote mountainous region, according to the news agency.
A powerful earthquake in China’s Tibet Autonomous Region has resulted in at least 53 fatalities and 62 injuries, as reported by Xinhua news agency.
The 6.8 magnitude quake struck a remote mountainous area at 9:05 am local time on Tuesday. The US Geological Survey (USGS) measured the magnitude at 7.1.
The China Earthquake Networks Center (CENC) pinpointed the epicenter 10km (6.2 miles) beneath the surface in Tibet’s Dingri County, near the Nepal border.
Tremors were felt in Nepal and parts of India. CENC reported numerous aftershocks followed the main quake.
Xinhua reported that over 1,000 homes in Dingri County were damaged or destroyed. Broadcaster CCTV noted that some areas experienced communication outages.
Videos shared on Chinese social media depicted damaged buildings and debris-strewn streets. The footage also showed significant damage to vehicles.
Two CCTV footages show strong 7.0 earthquake in Tibet region, China.
Earthquake was relatively shallow, at the depth of 10km.
At least 53 people have tragically lost their life while more than 70 are injured.
There were dozen of aftershocks in China and Nepal.…— Disasters Daily (@DisastersAndI)
Rescue teams have been deployed to Dingri County, with the Chinese air force assisting in the operation, according to CCTV.
Following the earthquake, Chinese President Xi Jinping issued a statement urging local authorities to prioritize survivor rescue, casualty minimization, and proper housing for affected residents during the cold winter weather.
Xinhua stated that Dingri County has a sparse population, with roughly 6,900 people residing in 27 villages within a 20-km (12-miles) radius of the epicenter.
The nearest major city, Shigatse, with a population of approximately 640,000, is located about 180km (111 miles) to the northeast.