A powerful magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck the high-altitude region of Tibet near the Himalayan border with Nepal on Tuesday morning, leaving at least 126 people dead and 188 injured, according to Chinese state media. 

The quake caused widespread destruction in Tingri County, located about 50 miles from Mount Everest, and damaged over 1,000 homes. Rescue operations are underway as the region continues to experience dozens of aftershocks.

At least 126 people were killed and 188 others were injured after a powerful earthquake hit Tibet on Tuesday morning, according to Chinese state media, with the tremors felt in multiple regions in neighboring countries of India, Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh.#Tibet #earthquake pic.twitter.com/zsrXJM4fjC

— Radio Free Asia (@RadioFreeAsia) January 7, 2025

Death toll from the 6.8 magnitude earthquake in Tibet rises to 126, injuries to 188. pic.twitter.com/mjPKib7hpr

— Indo-Pacific News – Geo-Politics & Defense (@IndoPac_Info) January 7, 2025

The earthquake was reportedly felt as far away as Kathmandu, Nepal, approximately 140 miles from the Tingri County – the quake’s epicenter. 

Residents in the Nepalese capital reported being jolted awake and rushing into the streets, but there were no immediate reports of injuries or significant damage on the Nepalese side.

Chinese President Xi Jinping called for “all-out efforts” to rescue trapped individuals, minimize casualties, and resettle displaced residents. 

China’s state broadcaster CCTV reported that more than 3,000 rescue workers have been deployed to the affected areas. Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing has been dispatched to the region to oversee recovery efforts, and the government allocated 100 million yuan ($13.6 million) for disaster relief.

The earthquake marks China’s deadliest seismic event since December 2023, when a magnitude 6.2 quake in Gansu and Qinghai provinces killed 151 people.