A strong earthquake struck the Tibet Autonomous Region in southwest China on Tuesday morning. At least 53 people died, and “many buildings” collapsed “near the epicenter”, according to Chinese state media.
“Fifty-three people died and 62 others were injured” during this 6.8 magnitude earthquake which shook the canton of Dingri at 9:05 a.m. (01:05 GMT), said the New China news agency. The epicenter of the earthquake was about 370 km southwest of the regional capital Lhasa, according to CENC data.
Firefighters in orange uniforms arrived at the scene of the disaster, amid rubble and near survivors and elderly people wrapped in blankets, according to CCTV videos.
The earthquake felt in Nepal
The earthquake was felt as far as the capital of Nepal and its capital Kathmandu. It also hit areas around Namche and Lobuche, very close to Everest Base Camp.
“It shook quite hard here, everyone is awake but we are not aware of any damage at the moment,” said Jagat Prasad Bhusal, an official in the Namche region in northeastern Nepal.
