Rescue teams work at the site of the earthquake on January 7. — XINHUA/VNA Photo

BEIJING — President Xi Jinping has urged all-out rescue efforts to minimise casualties following a 6.8-magnitude earthquake that jolted Dingri county in Shigatse of Xizang autonomous region at 09.05 am on Tuesday.

A total of 126 people have been confirmed dead and 188 others injured as of 7 pm Tuesday. More than 3,400 rescuers and over 340 medical workers have been sent to the quake-hit area.

Some 22,000 disaster relief items, including cotton tents, winter coats, quilts, and folding beds, together with special relief materials for high-altitude and frigid areas, have been dispatched by central authorities. — CHINA DAILY