BEIJING — The death toll from a powerful earthquake that struck Tibet in southwestern China has risen to 95, with at least 130 others injured, according to Chinese state media.
The 6.8-magnitude quake struck at 9:05 a.m. on Tuesday, causing widespread destruction in the affected areas. The epicenter was located 10 kilometers (6 miles) below the surface in the Tingri region, near the Himalayan foothills. Tremors were felt in neighboring countries, including Bhutan and Nepal.
Footage from the quake-hit region shows widespread devastation, with collapsed buildings, damaged infrastructure, and debris strewn across streets. The earthquake triggered multiple aftershocks, adding to the difficulties faced by rescue teams.
Jiang Haikun, a researcher at the China Earthquake Networks Center, said the area experienced at least three aftershocks with magnitudes above 4.0 and eight others ranging between 3.0 and 3.9 within 90 minutes of the main quake.
Rescue efforts are ongoing, with more than 1,500 firefighters and emergency workers deployed to the affected areas. Authorities are working to locate survivors and provide assistance to those displaced by the disaster.
The quake struck in a seismically active region near the border of Nepal and Bhutan, an area prone to earthquakes due to the collision of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates. This geological activity has been responsible for shaping the Himalayas but also poses significant risks to communities in the region.
As rescue operations continue, officials warn that the death toll may rise further, underscoring the challenges of disaster response in one of the world’s most remote and mountainous regions.
