AT LEAST 53 people have died after a devastating earthquake ripped through one of Tibet’s holiest cities.
The massive 7.1 magnitude disaster collapsed “many buildings” in Shigatse and injured 62 as well as causing havoc in parts of Nepal and India.
The quake has also left dozens missing, the China Earthquake Networks Centre (CENC) has warned.
In a recent announcement, the CENC reported that 53 individuals have lost their lives with 62 others sustaining injuries following a 6.8-magnitude tremor that struck Dingri County in Xigaze City, within the Xizang Autonomous Region, at 9:05 am on Tuesday.
Hours later the US Geological Survey reported the tremor as a magnitude 7.1.
They said data showed the earthquake had a depth of six miles.
Terrifying footage shows the moment the deadly tremors started to rock the city.
A surveillance camera was left shaking as the quake tore through Tibet.
Over 1,000 homes were left in disarray, according to Chinese state media.
Images show how many buildings have turned to rubble in the region with walls knocked down and even cars left battered by the falling debris.
The streets are also filled with broken bricks as rescue teams continue on with their searches for any survivors.
The Chinese air force is even using specialist drones to scour the rubble around the bottom of Mount Everest where the epicentre of the quake sat.
Temperatures are well below freezing in the area with both power and water being cut off for the tens of thousands of residents.
Chinese president Xi Jinping has ordered his own teams to help with the hunt and to aid with re-homing the affected residents.
Shigatse is widely regarded as one of the holiest cities in Tibet for its rich history and traditions.
This location houses the Panchen Lama, an important figure in Tibetan Buddhism, considered the second most prominent spiritual leader after the Dalai Lama.
CENC researcher Jiang Haikun warned that another earthquake around magnitude 5 could still take place in the coming hours.
But he added that “the likelihood of a larger earthquake is low”.
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