Earthquake in Tibet Kills 126, Injures Hundreds

A powerful earthquake struck Tibet's Tingri County near Mount Everest on Tuesday, killing at least 126 people and injuring over 188 others. The tremor, recorded at a magnitude of 6.8 by Chinese authorities and 7.1 by US Geological Survey, caused extensive damage, destroying hundreds of homes and trapping many people under rubble. Rescue operations are ongoing but hampered by dozens of aftershocks and harsh winter conditions, with temperatures falling to minus 18 degrees Celsius. Chinese President Xi Jinping has ordered all-out efforts for rescue and relief, with over 3,000 rescuers deployed and emergency supplies dispatched to the region. Tremors were felt as far away as Kathmandu, Nepal, but no significant damage or injuries were reported there. The earthquake highlights the region's geological instability due to the collision of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates, which has shaped the Himalayas for millions of years.