Chinese media also reported that as of 10 a.m. local time, multiple aftershocks were recorded, the largest of which was 4.4.

A huge magnitude 7.1 earthquake has hit the holy city of Shigatse, or Xigazê, in the autonomous region of Tibet in China.

Tremors were also felt in Nepal's capital, Kathmandu, as well as Bhutan and northern India. China says about 1,500 fire and rescue workers have been deployed to search for people in the rubble.