A series of six earthquakes, including a major one measuring 7.1 on the Richter scale, struck Tibet on Tuesday, leaving at least 95 people dead and over 130 injured in the Shigatse region. Shigatse, the second-largest city in Tibet and home to 800,000 people, experienced widespread destruction, with many buildings near the epicenter collapsing. The powerful tremors were felt across neighboring countries, including India, Nepal, and Bhutan, triggering panic and prompting evacuations.
The first and most severe quake struck Xizang, near the Nepal-Tibet border, at 6:35 am, according to the National Centre for Seismology. Chinese authorities recorded it at a magnitude of 6.8 in Shigatse. Subsequent tremors, including five smaller aftershocks, added to the devastation. The epicenter lay along the tectonic boundary between the Indian and Eurasia plates, which are known for the intense seismic activity responsible for shaping the Himalayan mountains.
In Nepal, strong tremors were felt in Kathmandu and seven hill districts bordering Tibet. Residents rushed outdoors as the shaking disrupted daily life. Meera Adhikari, a Kathmandu resident, described the moment she realized the quake’s severity: "The bed was shaking, and I thought my child was moving it, but the shaking of the windows confirmed it was an earthquake." Similar panic was reported in India, with tremors felt in Delhi-NCR, Bihar, West Bengal, and northeastern states like Assam.
China’s state broadcaster CCTV reported that Dingri County and surrounding areas experienced the strongest tremors, with significant structural damage. The Chinese government has initiated rescue and relief operations, though access to the affected areas remains challenging due to the region’s rugged terrain.
Seismic experts noted that this earthquake was the strongest in the region in recent years, surpassing 29 recorded earthquakes with magnitudes of 3 or higher within 200 kilometers of Shigatse over the past five years. The Himalayan region's tectonic activity continues to pose significant risks, with the potential for further aftershocks.
Emergency response efforts are underway in all affected regions, with authorities focusing on rescuing trapped individuals, providing medical care to the injured, and assessing the extent of the damage.
