Beijing, Oct 7 : At least nine people were killed and many injured in a powerful earthquake that jolted a county near Lhasa, the capital of southwest Tibet Autonomous Region, last evening.

The death toll is expected to be much higher as at least 147 houses reportedly collapsed in Yangyi village and others in a neighboring county.

Following the earthquake, rescuers arrived at Yangyi, the worst-hit site in Gedar Township of Damxung County. The rescuers took time to reach the village as they first had to repair the road paralyzed in the 6.6-magnitude tremor early this year.

Rescuers recovered nine bodies from the debris, and 11 people were seriously injured while eight others received light injuries, Xinhua news agency quoted Hao Peng, deputy chairman of the autonomous regional government and head of the rescue command, as saying.

Food, drinking water, tents and other materials had been transported to the area. Rescue operation was underway, even as the injured were being sent to local hospitals. (ANI)