[More than 120 people have been killed after a powerful earthquake struck a remote region of Tibet, causing widespread destruction and panic in the Himalayas. The 7.1-magnitude quake struck at 9:05 a.m. local time, with its epicenter located in Tingri county, about 50 miles north of Mount Everest.
The earthquake was felt as far as Nepal’s capital, Kathmandu, where residents described it as “very strong” and said it brought back memories of the devastating 2015 earthquake that killed about 9,000 people. The tremors were also felt in Bhutan and parts of northern India.
According to China Central Television (CCTV), at least 126 people were killed and 188 others were injured. More than 3,600 houses were damaged, with some 6,900 people living in 27 villages within a 20-kilometer radius of the epicenter.
The nearest major city to the epicenter is Shigatse, home to about 800,000 people, including the traditional seat of the Panchen Lama. The Dalai Lama, who lives in self-imposed exile in India, expressed his condolences and offered prayers for those who lost their lives.
Rescue teams, medical personnel, and resources are being flown to affected areas, with China’s Air Force, the Chinese Red Cross, and local authorities working together to search and rescue survivors. The Chinese government has also dispatched thousands of tents, beds, and coats to the affected area.
The region is sparsely populated, but small villages are nestled in isolated and often hard-to-access Himalayan valleys. The earthquake has brought back memories of the devastating 2015 earthquake in Nepal, which killed about 9,000 people and injured thousands.
The Asian region is still reeling from the impact of the earthquake, with multiple aftershocks reported, including 19 of magnitudes 3.0 and above. The region is bracing for further aftershocks, with temperatures expected to plummet to below 0 degrees Fahrenheit (−18°C) in the coming days.
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