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POWERFUL EARTHQUAKE HITS CHINA AND NEPAL, KILLING AT LEAST 95 PEOPLE

A devastating earthquake struck a remote, high-altitude region of western China and Nepal on Tuesday, leaving a trail of destruction and death in its wake. The quake, which measured 7.1 in magnitude, according to the U.S. Geological Survey, killed at least 95 people in Tibet and injured over 130 others. The earthquake’s epicenter was located in Tibet’s Tingri county, a seismically active area where the India and Eurasia plates clash. The region is home to some of the world’s tallest peaks in the Himalayan mountains. Rescue workers were quickly deployed to the affected areas, where they searched for survivors amidst the rubble. “It is a big earthquake,” a woman was heard saying in a video posted online. “People are all shaking.” Chinese leader Xi Jinping called for “all-out efforts” to rescue those trapped, minimize casualties, and resettle those whose homes were damaged. Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing was dispatched to the area to guide the relief efforts, and the government allocated 100 million yuan ($13.6 million) for disaster relief. The earthquake also affected neighboring Nepal, where people in the northeastern part of the country felt the tremors strongly. However, there were no initial reports of injuries or damage. The quake’s impact was felt as far away as Mount Everest, about 75 kilometers (50 miles) southwest of the epicenter. The area was largely empty due to the harsh winter conditions, but the earthquake still caused significant damage to homes and infrastructure. As the rescue efforts continue, officials warn that the death toll may rise. The Chinese government has promised to do everything in its power to support those affected by the disaster. SOURCE: AP News