On Tuesday morning, Tibet experienced a powerful earthquake, resulting in at least 32 confirmed deaths and 38 injuries. The shocking tremor struck the region known for its seismic activity and has prompted extensive rescue efforts amidst ongoing aftershocks.
Fatal Earthquake Strikes Tibet, Leaving Dozens Dead and Injured
Fatal Earthquake Strikes Tibet, Leaving Dozens Dead and Injured
A significant 7.1 magnitude earthquake rattled the holy city of Shigatse in Tibet, causing widespread destruction and fatalities.
The mountainous region of Tibet was devastated by a major earthquake early Tuesday morning, which has left at least 32 individuals dead and 38 others injured, as reported by Chinese state media. The earthquake struck Shigatse city, a region renowned for its religious significance in Tibetan Buddhism, around 09:00 local time (01:00 GMT) and recorded a magnitude of 7.1, with a depth of approximately 10 kilometers (six miles). Following the initial tremor, numerous aftershocks continued to rattle the area, as indicated by data from the US Geological Survey.
Tremors from the earthquake were felt across neighboring countries, including Nepal and northern India. Shigatse is viewed as one of the holiest cities in Tibet, being the traditional seat of the Panchen Lama, a pivotal religious figure within the Tibetan Buddhist community. While the official report from Chinese media reported a slightly lower magnitude of 6.8, the shaking led to significant damage to over 1,000 homes.
Images circulating on social media depicted collapsing structures and scenes of chaos amid the disaster. According to experts, the likelihood of further large-scale earthquakes following the initial event is low; however, minor quakes of around magnitude 5 may still occur. Jiang Haikun, a researcher at the China Earthquake Networks Center, emphasized the expected gradual attenuation process of seismic activity post-quake.
In the aftermath, the Chinese air force has mobilized rescue teams and drones to assist in recovery efforts, especially with the adverse winter conditions at the foot of Mount Everest. Critical infrastructure damage has left the region without power and water supplies. Notably, no casualties or significant damage were reported in Nepal despite tremors felt there, as confirmed by local officials.
Historically, this seismically active region lies on a geological fault line where the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates converge, leading to frequent earthquakes. A notable tragedy occurred in 2015 when a powerful 7.8 magnitude earthquake near Kathmandu resulted in nearly 9,000 deaths and over 20,000 injuries.
Tremors from the earthquake were felt across neighboring countries, including Nepal and northern India. Shigatse is viewed as one of the holiest cities in Tibet, being the traditional seat of the Panchen Lama, a pivotal religious figure within the Tibetan Buddhist community. While the official report from Chinese media reported a slightly lower magnitude of 6.8, the shaking led to significant damage to over 1,000 homes.
Images circulating on social media depicted collapsing structures and scenes of chaos amid the disaster. According to experts, the likelihood of further large-scale earthquakes following the initial event is low; however, minor quakes of around magnitude 5 may still occur. Jiang Haikun, a researcher at the China Earthquake Networks Center, emphasized the expected gradual attenuation process of seismic activity post-quake.
In the aftermath, the Chinese air force has mobilized rescue teams and drones to assist in recovery efforts, especially with the adverse winter conditions at the foot of Mount Everest. Critical infrastructure damage has left the region without power and water supplies. Notably, no casualties or significant damage were reported in Nepal despite tremors felt there, as confirmed by local officials.
Historically, this seismically active region lies on a geological fault line where the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates converge, leading to frequent earthquakes. A notable tragedy occurred in 2015 when a powerful 7.8 magnitude earthquake near Kathmandu resulted in nearly 9,000 deaths and over 20,000 injuries.
