BREAKING: At Least 95 People Dead And 130 Injured After Magnitude 7.1 Earthquake Strikes In China
Chinese officials report that a strong earthquake has killed at least 95 people in Tibet and left many others injured and trapped.
The official Xinhua News Agency, citing the regional disaster relief headquarters, reported that 130 people were injured on the Tibetan in the quake on Tuesday, as dozens of aftershocks shook the region of western China and the neighbouring state of Nepal. GidiTrendz, learnt that 53 people had been killed and 62 injured.
Some 1,500 firefighters and rescue workers were deployed to search for people in the rubble, the Ministry of Emergency Management said.
The quake struck at 9:05am local time (01:05 GMT) at a depth of 10km (6.2 miles), according to the China Earthquake Networks Center, which recorded a magnitude of 6.8. However, the United States Geological Survey measured its magnitude as 7.1.
A magnitude 6.8 earthquake is considered strong and capable of causing severe damage. Multiple aftershocks were also reported, with the strongest measuring a magnitude of 4.4.
Chinese President Xi Jinping said all-out search and rescue efforts should be carried out to minimise casualties, properly resettle the affected people, and ensure a safe and warm winter.
It was reported that at least nine people were killed in three townships – Changsuo, Quluo and Cuoguo – in Shigatse’s surrounding Tingri county, where many buildings had collapsed, and local media report that dozens of people died.
It was gathered that the images from the affected areas showed many collapsed buildings and homes.
“These are very remote villages in mountainous areas that are difficult to access and that difficulty will be increased by the fact that it is winter now, very cold and not very close to any major city,” a reporter said.
