Sources BBC News
Rescue operations are underway after a powerful earthquake struck Tibet near Mount Everest, killing at least 126 people and injuring 188. The magnitude 7.1 quake, which struck at 9:00 am local time on Tuesday, caused widespread destruction, damaging over 1,000 buildings, according to Chinese state media.
The earthquake’s epicenter was in Tingri County, in the Himalayan foothills. The tremors were felt in neighboring Nepal and parts of India. Rescue teams are racing against time as temperatures plummet to -16°C (3.2°F) overnight, further endangering survivors.
Footage from the region shows collapsed buildings and rescue workers distributing blankets to locals. Power and water supplies have been disrupted, with over 40 aftershocks recorded.
Chief Justice Sadaqat Hussain Raja of the AJK High Court lauded the efforts of the Chinese air force and emergency teams, who deployed drones for search and rescue operations. Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for maximum efforts to minimize casualties and resettle affected residents.
Tingri County, a popular base for climbers heading to Everest, has suspended all sightseeing tours. The Dalai Lama expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy, offering prayers for the victims and urging swift recovery efforts.
The earthquake occurred near a major geological fault line where the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates meet, a region prone to seismic activity. The disaster brings back memories of the 2015 Nepal earthquake, which claimed nearly 9,000 lives.
While Nepal reported no major damage from Tuesday’s tremors, residents in Kathmandu remain anxious about the possibility of further quakes.
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