BEIJING: At least 126 people have been confirmed dead, and 188 others injured following a powerful earthquake that struck Tibet’s remote Tingri county, located near the northern foothills of the Himalayas, on Tuesday.
The tremor, which hit at 9:05 am (0105 GMT), had a magnitude of 6.8 according to China’s Earthquake Networks Centre, although the US Geological Survey estimated it at 7.1. The earthquake’s epicentre was located about 80 km (50 miles) north of Mount Everest, one of Tibet’s holiest cities, at a depth of 10 km (6.2 miles).
The tremors were felt not only across Tibet but also in surrounding regions, including parts of Nepal and northern India.
In Nepal, several districts bordering Tibet experienced the shaking, although no casualties or significant damage were reported as of yet.
In Kathmandu, the country’s capital, residents described feeling strong tremors and some even fled their homes in fear. A man was injured after jumping from the top of a house to escape the shaking, though the extent of his injuries is not yet clear.
In Tibet, the epicentre was in Tingri, a rural area situated on the northern gateway to the Everest region, where many buildings collapsed. Footage from China’s state media showed the destruction, with crumbled walls and debris scattered across streets.
Local authorities confirmed that more than 1,000 homes in the area sustained damage, and some townships experienced widespread devastation. The earthquake’s aftershocks, with magnitudes of up to 4.4, added to the already dire situation, further weakening buildings and causing panic in the affected areas.
The disaster has strained local resources, and authorities are working around the clock to assess the full scale of the damage. Over 1,500 firefighters and rescue workers have been deployed to aid in search and rescue operations, while additional supplies, including tents, quilts, and winter clothing, have been sent to the affected regions.
Given the freezing temperatures in the region—around minus 8 degrees Celsius (17.6 degrees Fahrenheit) during the day and potentially dropping to minus 18 degrees Celsius in the evening—ensuring the safety and warmth of those displaced is a priority for the government.
In response to the disaster, Chinese President Xi Jinping has ordered that all-out efforts be made to minimize further casualties, relocate affected residents, and ensure adequate shelter and resources. The government has also implemented emergency measures, including the closure of the Everest region to tourists in the wake of the earthquake.
The earthquake struck a region that is prone to seismic activity due to the collision of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates, which is responsible for the frequent tremors in Tibet, Nepal, and northern India. While this particular tremor was the most powerful recorded in the area in the past five years, the region has experienced several large earthquakes in recent decades. The largest of these was a 6.9 magnitude quake in Mainling, Tibet, in 2017.
Pakistani officials have extended their condolences to the Chinese government and the people affected by the tragedy, offering their full support in relief efforts. Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari expressed his sympathy to the families of the victims, emphasizing solidarity with the Chinese people during this time of loss.
As authorities continue to monitor the situation, the focus remains on search and rescue operations, relief efforts, and providing necessary support to those affected by this devastating disaster.
