Devastating Earthquake Strikes Tibet, Killing Over 50 and Injuring Dozens

A powerful 7.1-magnitude earthquake hits Tibet’s holy city of Shigatse, leaving at least 53 people dead and 62 injured, according to Chinese state media. The quake, which stuck at 9:00 a.m. local time (01:00 GMT), had a depth of 10 kilometres and triggered a series of aftershocks in the area, sending tremors as far as Nepal and parts of India.

Shigatse, a sacred city in Tibetan Buddhism, holds immense religious significance as the traditional seat of the Panchen Lama, second only in spiritual authority to the Dalai Lama. Since China annexed Tibet in the 1950s, the region has remained tightly controlled, adding another layer of complexity to disaster response and media reporting.

Local Impact and Rescue Efforts

The devastation in Tingri county, near the epicentre, has been severe. Videos aired on CCTV showed rescue teams navigating debris, handing out blankets, and battling freezing temperatures that are expected to plummet to -18°C overnight. Power and water supplies in the region have been severely disrupted, leaving locals to rely on emergency resources.

Tingri, a popular base for climbers preparing to ascend Mount Everest, has shut down all sightseeing tours for safety. While three visitors were present in the area during the quake, they have been relocated to outdoor spaces.

Ongoing Seismic Activity

Earthquakes are common in this region, which lies on a major fault line between the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates. While Chinese state media downgraded the quake to a magnitude of 6.8, the tremors caused extensive damage to over 1,000 houses. Jiang Haikun, a researcher at the China Earthquake Networks Center, noted the possibility of aftershocks around magnitude 5 but downplayed the likelihood of a larger earthquake.

A History of Seismic Tragedies

The region has a tragic history of deadly earthquakes. In 2015, a 7.8-magnitude earthquake near Nepal’s capital, Kathmandu, claimed nearly 9,000 lives and left over 20,000 injured. The Himalayas’ geological activity serves as a constant reminder of the region’s vulnerability to natural disasters.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has urged an “all-out search and rescue effort” to save lives and provide shelter for displaced residents. Helicopters, drones, and air force teams have been deployed to assist in rescue operations.

Detailed data on the earthquake’s magnitude and aftershocks, can be found at the US Geological Survey’s official report.

For more updates on this developing story and insights into the broader region, visit EyeOnLondon.

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