Earthquake in China’s Tibet region kills 9 — state media

A powerful earthquake in China’s remote Tibet region has killed at least nine people and collapsed “many buildings,” state media reports, with tremors also felt in neighboring Nepal’s capital Kathmandu.

The quake struck Dingri county with a magnitude of 6.8 near the border with Nepal at 9:05 a.m. (0105 GMT), according to the China Earthquake Networks Center (CENC). The US Geological Survey reported the quake as magnitude 7.1.

“Dingri county and its surrounding areas experienced very strong tremors, and many buildings near the epicentre have collapsed,” state broadcaster CCTV says.

“The reporter learned that nine people have been confirmed dead so far,” it says, adding that as of 10 a.m., “multiple aftershocks” have been recorded, the largest measuring 4.4 in magnitude.

Xinhua news agency says that “local authorities are reaching out to various townships in the county to assess the impact of the quake.”