BEIJING/KATHMANDU- A magnitude 6.8 earthquake struck the foothills of the Himalayas near one of Tibet's holiest cities on Tuesday, killing at least 95 people and collapsing hundreds of houses, Chinese authorities said.

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

The 7.1-magnitude earthquake struck an area that serves as a major stop on the way to the North Base Camp, where adventurers set out to climb Mount Everest.