A powerful earthquake in Tibet has killed at least 95 people, with many still trapped, as aftershocks shake the province and neighbouring Nepal.

About 130 others were reported to have been injured when the 7.1-magnitude quake struck on Tuesday morning, Chinese authorities said.

About 1,500 fire and rescue workers were deployed to search for people in the rubble after around 1,000 houses were damaged, the Chinese Ministry of Emergency Management said.

Both the US Geological Survey (USGS) and the China Earthquake Networks Center said the epicentre was about 50 miles northeast of Mount Everest, near the border.

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09:31

At least 53 people have died and dozens others have been injured after a strong earthquake in China.

The 6.8 magnitude earthquake struck in a mountainous area in the autonomous Tibet region, near the border with Nepal, shortly after 9.05am on Tuesday, according to the China Earthquake Networks Centre, AzVision.az reports, citing Sky News.

The US Geological Survey (USGS) said it had recorded a 7.1 magnitude earthquake, centred in the Tibet region.

China's state-run Xinhua News Agency, citing the regional disaster relief headquarters, said alongside the 53 people who had died, 62 others had been injured.

About 1,500 fire and rescue workers have been deployed to search for people in the rubble, China's Ministry of Emergency Management said.

State broadcaster China Central Television (CCTV) said the epicentre was in the Tingri region, around 380 kilometres (240 miles) from Tibet's capital Lhasa and about 23 kilometres (14 miles) from the region's second-largest city of Shigatse - also known as Xigaze.

Shigatse is one of the holiest cities of Tibet. It is home to the Tashilhunpo Monastery - the traditional seat of the Panchen Lama, who is second only to the Dalai Lama in terms of spiritual authority in Tibetan Buddhism.

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.

Anoj Raj Ghimire, chief district officer of Solukhumbu district in Nepal, said: "We felt a very strong earthquake. So far we have not received any report of injuries or physical loss."

AzVision.az

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