More than 400 people in Tibet trapped by a deadly earthquake in the foothills of the Himalayas have been rescued, Chinese officials said on Wednesday, but an unknown number remained unaccounted for in severe cold weather.

Rescue workers in Tibet are searching for more survivors and victims, one day after a strong earthquake leveled thousands of houses and killed at least 126 people.

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,