At Least 53 Killed, 62 Injured in China Earthquake

 At least 53 people were killed and 62 others were injured in the powerful earthquake that jolted the Tibet Region in southeast China on Tuesday morning, China’s state-run news agency (Xinhua) reported, citing the regional disaster relief headquarters.

The 6.8-magnitude tremor jolted Dingri County in the city of Xigaze in Xizang Autonomous Region in Tibet, at a depth of 10 km, according to the China Earthquake Networks Center.

According to state media, the initial earthquake was followed by a number of aftershocks with magnitudes of up to 4.4. Tremors were also felt in Nepal's capital, Kathmandu, as well as Bhutan and northern India.

Over 1,000 houses have sustained varying degrees of damage, Xinhua said.

"Dingri county and its surrounding areas experienced very strong tremors, and many buildings near the epicenter have collapsed," China's state broadcaster (CCTV) said.

Xinhua said that "local authorities are reaching out to various townships in the county to assess the impact of the quake".

(QNA)