Deadly earthquake in China claims over 100 lives Hundreds injured

A powerful earthquake in Tibet (an autonomous region of China) has claimed the lives of 126 people.

As of 7:00 p.m. (GMT+8), 126 fatalities have been reported, with 188 people injured. The earthquake, with a magnitude of 7.1, struck the Tibet Autonomous Region in southwestern China, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media. 

Preliminary reports indicate that 95 people have died and 130 others have been injured. Seismologists have recorded 49 aftershocks, and Mount Everest has already been closed to tourists in light of the disaster.

A 6.8 magnitude earthquake struck Tibet in southwestern China on January 7 morning, destroying many buildings. While earthquakes are common in the region, quake was the most powerful recorded within a 200-kilometre radius in the last five years.

Rescue workers waded through rubble strewn across the ruins in the aftermath of the earthquake, footage showed, while some gave locals thick blankets to keep warm. Surveillance images published by CCTV showed people running through a store's aisles as shelves shook violently, sending objects like toys tumbling to the ground.

By Naila Huseynova