A powerful earthquake has struck the Tibetan region near Mount Everest, killing at least 126 people and injuring nearly 200. The US Geological Survey recorded the quake as having a magnitude of 7.1, while Chinese authorities assessed it as having a magnitude of 6.8. The epicentre was Dingri County near Shigatse, where the Panchen Lama, a prominent figure in Tibetan Buddhism, lives. There were earthquake fears in northern India, Nepal and Bhutan, but no major damage was reported.
The earthquake occurred at 06:35 at an average depth of 10 kilometers. The collision of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates has shaped the Himalayas for millions of years, making the region prone to seismic activity. The rupture site was identified as the Lhasa block, which is under a lot of stress. The seismic activity in the region is caused by “plate rupture,” where the upper layer of the Indian plate separates from the weight of the lower layer.
With more than 1,500 individuals involved in rescue operations, emergency teams acted quickly. There was extensive damage in Dingri County and the surrounding areas, with roads covered in debris and buildings that had collapsed. Rescue efforts were made more difficult by reports of aftershocks with magnitudes as high as 4.4. In larger towns, video footage showed rubble spilling into highways and destroyed buildings. President Xi Jinping demanded action to guarantee appropriate resettlement and reduce casualties. The Chinese side of Mount Everest temporarily restricted its tourist attractions.
Even 400 kilometers from the epicenter, in Kathmandu, people could feel the tremors. In Nepal, authorities reported no injuries despite mobilizing security and police troops. Bihar and other parts of northern India were also shaken, but less severely. The devastating 7.8-magnitude earthquake that struck Nepal in 2015 is part of the region’s active seismic history.
India expressed its condolences to the victims but did not specifically mention China. The Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) in Dharamsala said it was praying for those affected. The Central Tibetan Administration held a prayer meeting and was attended by Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama. The Central Tibetan Observatory expressed its deepest condolences to all those affected and condolences for the loss.
The region’s history of major earthquakes shows that they occur regularly. The Himalayas were formed by tectonic collisions that also caused dangerous earthquakes. Rebuilding and solving these problems is the main goal of recovery efforts.
