Tibetan holy city of Shigatze struck by deadly earthquake
By Joseph Tulloch
On Tuesday, an earthquake struck near Shigatze, one of Tibet’s holiest cities and the traditional seat of the Panchen Lama, one of the most important figures in Tibetan Buddhism.
Chinese authorities said that the quake reached a magnitude of 6.8, and that it had killed at least 126 people, injuring at least 188.
Hundreds of houses were destroyed, the authorities added.
The earthquake’s epicentre was in Tingri, a rural county in Tibet which borders the Himalayan Mountains and lies about 80 km (50 miles) north of Mount Everest, the world's highest mountain.
Buildings in neighbouring Nepal, Bhutan and India were shaken, but so far no casualties have been reported there.
The region is frequently hit by earthquakes caused by the collision of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates.
Shigatze: Holy city
The city of Shigatze, where the quake struck, is home to the Tashilhunpo monastery, the traditional seat of the Panchen Lama.
The Panchen Lama is traditionally second in spiritual authority only to the Dalai Lama, Tibet's spiritual leader.
The Dalai Lama fled his homeland in 1959 after it was taken over by China, whereas the Panchen Lama remained. Belief in reincarnating lamas, or spiritual leaders, is a characteristic feature of Tibetan Buddhism, which evolved in the region in the 7th century.
Speaking after the disaster, the Dalai Lama said he was deeply saddened.
"I offer my prayers," he said, "for those who have lost their lives and extend my wishes for a swift recovery to all who have been injured."
Reuters and Associated Press contributed to this report.
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