Chinese authorities announced that a 6.8 magnitude earthquake struck the Tibet Autonomous Region. The official Chine Nouvelle news agency reported 95 dead and 130 injured. More than 1,000 homes were damaged.
The China Earthquake Network Center said the earthquake occurred around 9:05 a.m. Tuesday in Dingri County. The source is estimated to be 10 kilometers deep.
The United States Geological Survey estimated the magnitude of the earthquake at 7.1.
According to state media, several buildings collapsed near the epicenter. Images show heavily damaged brick buildings.
Dingri County is located on the border with Nepal. Chinese media reports indicate that the area near the epicenter is around 4,000 meters above sea level. The region is touristy and has a number of hotels and restaurants, with views of Mount Everest. Nearly 60,000 inhabitants were recorded there in 2021.
Local authorities are working to quickly confirm the extent of the damage and dispatch firefighters and rescuers.
A 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck neighboring Nepal in April 2015 and killed 9,000 people.
