At least 53 individuals have tragically lost their lives, and 62 others have sustained injuries following a significant earthquake that struck the mountainous region of Tibet in China on Tuesday morning, as reported by state media.
The quake, which registered a magnitude of 7.1 and occurred at a depth of approximately 10 kilometers (about six miles), hit Shigatse city around 09:00 local time (01:00 GMT). The US Geological Survey also noted that the area experienced several aftershocks in the aftermath.
Tremors were felt not only in Tibet but also reached neighboring Nepal and parts of India. This region is known for its seismic activity due to its location along a prominent geological fault line.
Shigatse holds great spiritual significance as one of Tibet’s holiest cities. It serves as the traditional seat for the Panchen Lama, an essential figure in Tibetan Buddhism whose influence is second only to that of the Dalai Lama.
Chinese state media reported a slightly lower magnitude for the earthquake at 6.8, indicating “obvious” tremors that resulted in damage to over 1,000 structures. Social media platforms are flooded with images showing buildings collapsing under the force of nature, alongside reports of strong aftershocks continuing to rattle the area.
Jiang Haikun, a researcher from the China Earthquake Networks Center, shared insights with CCTV regarding post-earthquake phenomena: “After such significant seismic events, there is typically a gradual decrease in tremor intensity.” He cautioned that while another quake measuring around magnitude 5 could still occur, he believes “the chances of experiencing an even larger earthquake are minimal.”
In response to this disaster, China’s air force has mobilized rescue teams and deployed drones to assist those affected by this calamity. The impacted area lies at Mount Everest’s base where temperatures plummet well below freezing levels. Additionally, both power and water supplies have been disrupted due to this natural disaster.
President Xi Jinping has called for comprehensive search-and-rescue operations aimed at reducing casualties and facilitating resettlement efforts for those displaced by this tragedy.
While tremors were indeed felt across Nepal’s Namche region—close to Everest—local officials confirmed no reports of damage or casualties there according to AFP news agency sources.
On Tuesday afternoon, Tibet’s earthquake bureau informed BBC reporters they were still working on casualty estimates as verification processes continued amidst ongoing assessments.
This particular region experiences frequent seismic activity due to its proximity near major fault lines formed by colliding Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates. A stark reminder came from history when a devastating earthquake struck near Kathmandu—the capital city of Nepal—in April 2015; it measured at magnitude 7.8 resulting in nearly 9,000 fatalities along with over 20 thousand injuries—a tragic event etched into collective memory.
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