Tibet earthquake kills at least 30

Dozens of people have been killed after a magnitude 6.8 earthquake struck in the Himalayas on Tuesday morning, and dozens more injured.

Local Chinese media reported at least 36 fatalities in and around the city of Shigatse in Tibet, while tremors were felt in neighboring Nepal and India.

"A reporter learned from the Tibet Autonomous Region earthquake bureau that people have been killed," the Xinhua state news agency said, listing the Changsuo, Quluo and Cuoguo townships in Dingri County.

The report added that the earthquake, which struck at 9:05 a.m. local time, had an epicenter depth of 10 kilometers (6.2 miles), but revised the magnitude down from an earlier estimation of 6.9.

The US Geological Survey reported the quake as magnitude 7.1.

By 10 a.m., "multiple aftershocks" had been recorded, the largest measuring 4.4 in magnitude, added Xinhua's reporter.

"Dingri county and its surrounding areas experienced very strong tremors, and many buildings near the epicentre have collapsed," state broadcaster CCTV said.

Video footage seen by the Reuters news agency showed damaged buildings and crumbled shop fronts in the larger towns of Shigatse and Lhatse, with debris spilling out onto roads.

A holy city, Shigatse is the seat of the Panchen Lama, one of the most important figures in Tibetan Buddhism, whose spiritual authority is second only to the Dalai Lama.