LHASA, Jan. 7: A total of 95 people have been confirmed dead and 130 others injured as of 3 p.m. Tuesday after a 6.8-magnitude earthquake jolted Dingri County in the city of Xigaze in southwest China’s Xizang Autonomous Region at 9:05 a.m. Tuesday (Beijing Time).

Many buildings near the epicentre of Dingri and its surrounding areas have collapsed, with social media clips showing shattered rooftops and windows.

A damaged house is pictured after an earthquake in Xegar Township of Dingri in Xigaze, southwest China’s Xizang Autonomous Region, Jan. 7, 2025.

China’s State Council’s earthquake relief and emergency management departments have activated a Level-3 emergency response, dispatching a working group to guide rescue and relief work.

The Western Theater Command of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army has dispatched a 50-strong team to the disaster-stricken areas to carry out rescue operations.

Damaged houses are pictured after an earthquake in Tonglai Village, Changsuo Township of Dingri in Xigaze, southwest China’s Xizang Autonomous Region, Jan. 7, 2025.

Tremors were also felt in neighboring Nepal’s capital Kathmandu some 400 kilometers away.