At least 95 people have died and 130 others were injured after a powerful 7.1 magnitude earthquake struck Tibet's Shigatse city in southwest China earlier this morning.
The quake hit around 9am local time, causing widespread destruction in the mountainous region, with more than 1,000 houses damaged.
Tremors were felt across neighbouring Nepal and parts of India, according to Chinese state media reports.
The earthquake struck at a depth of 10km, triggering several strong aftershocks in the area, which lies on a major geological fault line.
The earthquake struck at a depth of 10km, triggering several strong aftershocks in the area
Reuters
Both power and water supplies have been disrupted across the affected region.
Chinese state media reported "obvious" tremors, with videos from state broadcaster CCTV showing destroyed houses and collapsed buildings.
Rescue workers were seen wading through debris and distributing thick blankets to local residents.
Temperatures near the epicentre in Tingri county have plunged to -8C, with forecasts predicting a further drop to -18C this evening, according to the China Meteorological Administration.
The US Geological Survey data showed multiple aftershocks continuing to hit the area.
Jiang Haikun, a researcher at the China Earthquake Networks Center, told CCTV that while another magnitude 5 earthquake may occur, "the likelihood of a larger earthquake is low".
Both power and water supplies have been disrupted across the affected region
Reuters
Chinese air force has launched rescue operations, deploying helicopters and drones to the affected area.
President Xi Jinping has called for "all-out search and rescue efforts" to minimise casualties and help resettle affected residents.
Rescue workers have been distributing emergency supplies as they navigate through the debris in freezing conditions.
A hotel resident in Shigatse told Fengmian News he was jolted awake by the tremors and rushed onto the street, where he witnessed helicopters circling overhead.
"It felt like even the bed was being lifted," he said, noting that Tibet had recently experienced multiple smaller quakes.
Chinese state media reported "obvious" tremors, with videos from state broadcaster CCTV showing destroyed houses and collapsed buildings
Reuters
Shigatse holds significant religious importance as one of Tibet's holiest cities, serving as the traditional seat of the Panchen Lama, whose spiritual authority is second only to the Dalai Lama in Tibetan Buddhism.
The earthquake's epicentre, Tingri county, lies at the foot of Mount Everest and is a popular base for climbers attempting to scale the world's highest peak.
Local tourism has been severely disrupted, with Everest sightseeing tours cancelled and the viewing area fully closed.
Three visitors who were in the sightseeing area at the time of the earthquake have been evacuated to an outdoor location for safety, according to tourism staff.
The region lies near a major fault line where the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates meet, making it prone to seismic activity.
