KABUL (Pajhwok): Scores of people were killed and wounded on Tuesday morning when a powerful earthquake rattled China, say media reports.
Ninety-five people were confirmed dead and 130 others injured as of 3pm, after a 6.8-magnitude earthquake rocked Dingri county in the city of Xigaze in southwest Xizang autonomous region.
Xinhua news agency, citing the regional disaster relief headquarters, reported many buildings near the epicentre collapsed.
The Chinese People's Liberation Army rushed a team to the disaster-hit areas to carry out rescue operations, the report added.
The US Geological Survey said the quake that hit Tibet's holy Shigatse city at 8.05am had a magnitude of 7.1 and a depth of 10 kilometres.
Several buildings were razed as a result of the earthquake that shook Tibet's holy city of Shigatse, where a series of aftershocks were felt.
More than 1,000 houses were damaged, according to state media. The Chinese air force is using drones as part of rescue efforts in the affected area, amid subzero temperatures.
Meanwhile, AFP reported tremors were also felt in Nepal's Namche region, near Mount Everest, Bhutan and parts of India.
Home to around 62,000 people, the high-altitude county in the Tibet region is situated on the Chinese side of Mount Everest.
PAN Monitor/mud
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