Tibet quake: Death toll rises to 126

BEIJING. The death toll from a devastating earthquake that struck China’s Tibet region early on Tuesday has risen to 126, state media said. Thousands of buildings were damaged, with tremors also felt in Nepal’s capital Kathmandu and parts of India.

Video released by China’s state broadcaster CCTV showed houses collapsing as walls collapsed.

The footage showed rescue workers wading through rubble, while some handed out thick blankets to locals to keep them warm in sub-zero temperatures.

The quake struck in rural and high-altitude Tingri county, about 80 kilometers (50 miles) north of the world’s highest peak, Mount Everest, near the border with Nepal.

“The houses here are made of mud, so when the earthquake hit, many houses collapsed,” said Shangjie Dangzhi, 34. His supermarket in Tingri was badly damaged. He described the situation as “very serious.” Ambulances were taking people to hospital throughout the day.

Surveillance images released by CCTV showed people running through shopping aisles, shelves shaking violently, and objects such as toys falling to the ground.

As of 7 p.m. local time, at least 126 people had been confirmed dead and 188 others injured, according to CCTV.

28 people were taken to hospital in critical condition, and 3,609 houses collapsed.

The China Earthquake Networks Center (CENC) measured the quake at 6.8, while the U.S. Geological Survey measured it at 7.1.