Chinese seismologists have recorded more than 500 aftershocks following an earthquake in the Tibet Autonomous Region in southwest China, Chinese Central Television reported.
The centre said in a statement:
“As of 8:00 a.m. on January 8, a total of 515 aftershocks have been recorded, including 488 aftershocks of magnitude below 3.0, 27 aftershocks of magnitude 3.0 and above, notably 24 of magnitude 3.0 to 3.9 and three of magnitude 4.0 to 4.9. The maximum aftershock of magnitude 4.4 was recorded about 18 kilometres from the epicentre of the main shock.”
The magnitude 6.8 earthquake struck at 09:05 local time in Tingri county in Tibet Autonomous Region in southwest China, near the border with Nepal.
The epicentre of the tremors was 163 km from the city of Shigajie with a population of about 800,000 people, its depth was about 10 km, the US Geological Survey reported. At least 126 people died, 188 were injured and over 3,000 buildings were damaged.
