A powerful earthquake has struck Tibet, killing at least 95 people and leaving hundreds more injured and trapped. The earthquake, which occurred on Tuesday morning, has severely impacted the region, with many buildings collapsing and rescue operations underway.
According to the official Xinhua News Agency, the magnitude 6.8 earthquake hit at 9:05 AM local time (01:05 GMT) at a depth of 10 km (6.2 miles). The China Earthquake Networks Center reported the earthquake’s magnitude, though the United States Geological Survey measured it at 7.1. Multiple aftershocks followed, with the strongest measuring 4.4 in magnitude.
The quake’s epicenter was in the western Tibetan region, near the border with Nepal. Chinese authorities reported that at least 130 people have been injured, with the figure expected to rise. Rescue workers, including 1,500 firefighters, have been dispatched to search through the rubble for survivors. However, the remote mountainous terrain and winter weather conditions have made rescue efforts more difficult.
The hardest-hit areas include the townships of Changsuo, Quluo, and Cuoguo in the Shigatse region, where numerous buildings collapsed. Reports indicate that dozens have died in these areas, and local media are predicting the death toll will increase as more information becomes available. Many of the affected regions are isolated, making access to help particularly challenging.
In response to the devastation, Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for all-out search and rescue efforts, urging authorities to minimize casualties and provide proper relief to those affected, particularly as the region faces the challenges of winter.
Tremors from the earthquake were also felt in northern India’s Bihar state and Nepal’s capital, Kathmandu, about 400 km (248 miles) away, prompting evacuations in some areas. Although there have been no reports of casualties in Nepal so far, the tremors were strongly felt in the Himalayan region, including areas around Lobuche near Mount Everest.
While this earthquake follows a history of seismic activity in the region, it has sparked concern due to its strength and impact on both China and Nepal. Tibet, particularly the city of Shigatse, which is home to important Tibetan Buddhist sites, is no stranger to earthquakes, with several smaller quakes recorded in the past five years.
Rescue teams are working relentlessly to find survivors amidst the devastation, as the region grapples with the aftermath of one of the strongest earthquakes to hit Tibet in years.
