A devastating 7.1-magnitude earthquake struck Tibet's Autonomous Region on Tuesday morning, killing at least 53 people and injuring 62 more, according to Sky News.
The U.S. Geological Survey reported the earthquake at around 9 a.m. local time on January 7.
The epicenter was located in the mountainous Tingri region. This is approximately 380 kilometers from Lhasa, Tibet’s capital, and 23 kilometers from Shigatse, the region’s second-largest city and home to the historic Tashilunpo Monastery, the traditional residence of the Panchen Lama.
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The quake caused extensive destruction, damaging over 1,000 buildings.
China's Ministry of Emergency Situations has deployed around 1,500 firefighters and rescue workers to search for survivors trapped under the rubble.
State media reported that the initial quake was followed by multiple aftershocks, the strongest measuring 4.4 in magnitude. Tremors were felt as far as Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal, as well as Bhutan and northern India.
The region is no stranger to seismic activity. The U.S. Geological Survey notes that there have been 10 earthquakes with magnitudes of 6 or higher in the area over the past century.
This earthquake comes just weeks after a 6.6-magnitude quake struck the Kuril Islands on December 27.
