A magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck near the Nepal-China border in Tibet on Tuesday, claiming nearly 100 lives so far.
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) reported that the earthquake occurred at 9:05 a.m. in a Chinese region 57.8 miles (93 kilometers) northeast of Lobuche, Nepal. Lobuche is a settlement in the Himalayan mountains with a population of 8,700.
The China Earthquake Networks Center confirmed a magnitude 6.8 quake hit Tingri County in Xigazê, Tibet’s second-largest city, at 9:05 a.m. local time.
The reported death toll had risen to 95, with 130 injured by 3 p.m.
Over 1,000 houses reportedly collapsed due to the earthquake.
Ongoing aftershocks and continued rescue operations suggest the casualty count may increase.
At 6 p.m., the China Earthquake Networks Center recorded 150 aftershocks, nineteen measuring 3.0 or higher on the Richter scale.
The earthquake-prone area north of Mount Everest suffered extensive damage due to the quake’s shallow depth, estimated at just 6 miles.
Chinese authorities have raised the national earthquake emergency response to level 2 and the disaster relief emergency response to level 3. Over 3,400 rescue personnel and 340 medical staff have been deployed to assist recovery efforts.
Rescue operations face additional challenges as temperatures are expected to plummet after sunset. Forecasts predict overnight lows between -18°C and -14°C (0°F to 7°F), signaling an impending cold snap in the region.
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