Rescuers in Tibet continued their search for survivors on Wednesday amid freezing temperatures after a 6.8-magnitude earthquake devastated the remote region, killing at least 126 people.

The powerful quake struck the Himalayan foothills on Tuesday, approximately 80 km (50 miles) north of Mount Everest, the world’s tallest peak. The tremors were felt in neighboring countries, including Nepal, Bhutan, and India.

Chinese state media reported that at least 126 people have died, 188 were injured, and more than 3,600 homes were destroyed in Tibet’s Shigatse region. Online photos and videos show extensive damage, with numerous buildings reduced to rubble.

Sangji Dangzhi, a 34-year-old whose supermarket in Tingri suffered significant damage, said, “Here the houses are made from dirt, so when the earthquake came... many houses collapsed.”

Authorities have rescued over 400 people, but many remain unaccounted for. Rescue operations are hindered by over 500 aftershocks since Tuesday and severe cold. Temperatures dropped to -18°C (0°F) overnight, exacerbating the plight of the homeless and prompting an urgent need for blankets and temporary shelters.

The epicenter was in Tingri county, home to about 62,000 of Shigatse’s 800,000 residents, a less developed area compared to urban centers like Lhasa, Tibet’s capital. There have been no reported fatalities in Nepal or other neighboring regions.

China’s government escalated its emergency response to the highest level. State media reported that 3,400 rescuers, military personnel, and hundreds of medical workers were dispatched to assist the injured. Footage showed rescue workers navigating through debris, providing thick blankets to locals to help them stay warm.

By late Tuesday, supplies such as tents, food, and electrical generators had reached the affected areas, and all damaged roads were reopened.

In Lhatse, 65 km from the epicenter, tourist Meng Lingkang described seeing buildings with large cracks. “Some of the older houses collapsed, and many brick buildings developed big fissures,” the 23-year-old told AFP.

Chinese President Xi Jinping called for comprehensive search and rescue efforts to minimize casualties, properly resettle affected residents, and ensure their safety and warmth during the winter, as reported by state broadcaster.

Beijing, which governs Tibet as an autonomous region, faces ongoing criticism from rights groups and exiles who accuse it of suppressing Tibetan cultural and religious rights.