A powerful earthquake struck Tibet’s Shigatse region on Tuesday morning, claiming 95 lives, according to the Chinese news agency Xinhua.
The earthquake, which measured 6.8 on the Richter scale, also left 130 people injured in Tibet. Details about the full extent of property damage are yet to be reported.
China’s State Council Earthquake Relief Department and Emergency Management Department activated a three-level emergency rescue plan following the disaster in Shigatse city, part of the Tibet Autonomous Region.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has directed authorities to prioritize relief and rescue efforts. He issued the instructions during a meeting with officials in Beijing and Tibet on Tuesday afternoon, urging all resources to be focused on the affected area.
In response to the earthquake, China has temporarily closed the Everest region on its side of the border, known as “Chomolungma” in Chinese. The government has restricted tourist access from the Tibetan side, as reported by CGTN.
