A devastating earthquake struck the remote Tibetan region of Shigatse, leaving at least 95 people dead and injuring more than 130. The tremors were felt across neighboring countries, including Nepal, Bhutan, and parts of northern India, sparking widespread concern.
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported the earthquake measured 7.1 on the Richter scale, while China’s Earthquake Networks Center (CENC) recorded a slightly lower magnitude of 6.8. The quake occurred at around 9:05 a.m. local time (01:05 GMT) at a depth of 10 kilometers (6 miles), shaking western China and causing significant damage in the area.
The epicenter was located in Dingri County, part of Shigatse prefecture, a sacred region in Tibet known for its religious significance as the seat of the Panchen Lama, second in authority only to the Dalai Lama. Dingri, situated near Mount Everest on the Chinese side, is home to approximately 62,000 residents.
Rescue operations have been hampered by the extreme weather conditions in Dingri, where temperatures have dropped to minus 8 degrees Celsius (17.6 degrees Fahrenheit) and are expected to plummet further to minus 18 degrees Celsius by evening. The remote location and harsh winter conditions have further complicated rescue efforts.
According to Chinese state media, over 1,000 houses have been damaged or destroyed. Videos broadcast by China’s CCTV showed scenes of devastation, with buildings reduced to rubble and residents left homeless. In nearby towns like Lhatse, streets were littered with debris, and local eateries bore the brunt of the tremors.
The earthquake’s impact extended beyond China’s borders. In Nepal’s capital, Kathmandu, the strong tremors forced people to flee their homes. Nepalese police confirmed that a man sustained injuries after jumping from a rooftop. Tremors were also felt in Bhutan’s capital, Thimphu, and in India’s Bihar state, which borders Nepal.
The Chinese government has mobilized a rescue team of 1,500 personnel, including military forces, to assist in recovery efforts. Emergency supplies, including 22,000 disaster relief items such as cotton tents and quilts, have been dispatched to the affected regions. Chinese President Xi Jinping has urged for maximum rescue efforts to minimize casualties and ensure residents are safe and warm during the harsh winter conditions.
The Himalayan region is prone to frequent seismic activity due to tectonic plate movements. The Indian plate continuously pushes against the Eurasian plate, causing significant geological shifts that often result in earthquakes. Experts noted that Tuesday’s earthquake was the strongest recorded within a 200-kilometer radius of Shigatse in the past five years.
Historically, the Himalayan region has experienced catastrophic earthquakes. In 2015, a magnitude 7.8 earthquake in Nepal claimed nearly 9,000 lives and injured more than 22,000 people. More recently, a 7.3 magnitude quake struck China’s Qinghai province in May 2021.
This latest earthquake ranks among the most severe to hit the Himalayan region in the past century, highlighting the ongoing risk posed by seismic activity in the area. Authorities continue to monitor aftershocks and assess the damage while prioritizing search-and-rescue operations to locate any remaining survivors.
Read More News: