126 die as 6.8 earthquake jolts Tibet

A 6.8-magnitude earthquake struck near one of Tibet’s holiest cities on Tuesday, killing at least 126 people and injuring 188 with tremors shaking buildings in Nepal as well.

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According to regional disaster relief headquarters, the earthquake jolted Dingri county in Xigaze in Tibet Autonomous Region in China at 9.05 am (Beijing Time) on Tuesday. The US Geological Service, however, put the quake’s magnitude at 7.1.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has ordered all-out rescue efforts to carry out relief and rescue operations in the affected areas.

Xi ordered utmost efforts to treat the injured and urged efforts to prevent secondary disasters, properly resettle affected residents, and handle the aftermath work effectively.

Following the quake, China Earthquake Administration launched a level-II emergency service response and sent a work team to the site to assist with disaster relief efforts.

Meanwhile, the strong earthquake also forced people to run out of their houses in Nepal – where it was felt in Kavrepalanchwok, Sindhupalanchok Dhading and Solukhumbu districts. A Nepal Police spokesperson said they had not received any information regarding any human causality. It also caused tremors in Bihar and several parts of north India.

China later said the earthquake near caused no damage to any dams or reservoirs in the country. The statement by the Ministry of Water Resources came as the earthquake highlighted concerns raised about China’s plan to build the world's largest dam on the Brahmaputra.