7.1-magnitude earthquake hits Tibet, at least 53 people dead

A powerful earthquake struck Tibet on Jan. 7, resulting in at least 53 people dead and 62 others injured.

According to Reuters, the earthquake could also be felt in neighbouring countries, such as Nepal, Bhutan, and India.

The U.S. Geological Service registered the earthquake's magnitude at 7.1.

The earthquake hit Tingri at 9:05am (local time), a rural Chinese county that is known as the northern gateway to the Everest region.

Reuters reported that the earthquake's epicentre was about 80km north of Mount Everest.

It added that earthquakes frequently occur in southwestern parts of China, Nepal, and northern India due to the collision of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates.

Photos uploaded to Weibo showed the extent of the damage, such as collapsed buildings.

South China Morning Post reported that authorities in Tibet have dispatched more than 300 rescuers and medical staff as part of their emergency response.

China's state media, Xinhua, reported that president Xi Jinping has also ordered extensive search and rescue efforts to minimise casualties in response to the earthquake.

Top photos via Weibo & U.S. Geological Services