A strong earthquake with a magnitude of 7.1 that killed at least 126 people in western China near Nepal was one of the country’s deadliest in nearly a decade.

HONG KONG — A 7.1-magnitude earthquake struck near one of Tibet ’s holiest cities Tuesday, killing at least 126 people, Chinese state media reported. The earthquake, which was recorded just after 9 a.m. (8 p.m. ET Monday), was centered at a depth of nearly 6 miles, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

A major earthquake hit a secluded region of Tibet on the morning of January 7, resulting in considerable destruction. Authorities in China reported that the earthquake struck the northern foothills of the Himalayas,