Beijing: The death toll from a 6.8-magnitude earthquake in Dingri County, Shigatse City, in China’s Tibet Autonomous Region, has risen to 126, with over 61,500 people affected, according to a press conference held by the region’s Information Office.

The earthquake struck on January 9 at 6:00 AM local time, causing widespread devastation in the area.

World leaders, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and UN Secretary-General António Guterres, have expressed solidarity with Chinese President Xi Jinping and the affected population. Messages of support have also been sent by international organizations and other nations.