A powerful earthquake struck near the city of Shigatse in Tibet on Tuesday morning, killing at least 95 people and injuring 130. The quake, with a magnitude of 6.8, hit at 9:05 a.m. local time and was strong enough to shake buildings and send people running into the streets in nearby Nepal.
The epicenter was in Tsogo Township, Dingri County, which has about 6,900 residents. This area is known for earthquakes because it sits where the Eurasian and Indian tectonic plates meet.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has ordered full rescue efforts to help those affected. Over 1,500 firefighters and rescue workers have been sent to the area, along with 22,000 relief items like tents and warm clothes.
Shigatse, also called Xigaze, is an important cultural city in Tibet, close to the Indian border.
In Nepal, the quake was felt strongly in areas like Kavrepalanchwok and Dhading. Many people in Kathmandu reported seeing buildings and trees move, but no injuries have been reported there yet. A stone building was damaged in Kimathanka Rural Municipality.
This earthquake reminded many in Nepal of the devastating 2015 quake that killed 9,000 people. Several smaller aftershocks were also felt shortly after the main quake.
Rescue teams in both China and Nepal are working to assess damage and provide help to those in need.
