On Tuesday, a strong earthquake of 7.1 magnitude struck the remote Tibetan plateau close to the Nepal border, injuring at least 95 people and injuring more than 130 others. The quake, which hit Tingri County in Tibet’s Xigaze City, caused buildings to collapse, routes to bone, and sent products tumbling off supermarket shelves, sparking stress across the area. Lots of waves followed, more complicating rescue operations.
In a desperate search for individuals, rescue personnel scoured through piles of dirt while images captured in Shigatse captured shoppers fleeing as items toppled. At least 1, 000 homes were damaged, according to China’s ministry of emergency management, leaving streets strewn with rubble and cars crushed by fallen debris.
Widespread destruction
The earthquake struck at 9.05 am local time, at a shallow depth of 10 kilometres, according to the US Geological Survey ( USGS). Its epicentre was in Tingri County, a sparsely populated area with just under 7, 000 residents across 27 villages. Reports indicate significant damage to infrastructure, with authorities deploying over 3, 000 rescuers and activating emergency relief measures.
As rescue operations continue, the death toll stands at 95, with more than 130 injured. Many people are still buried beneath rubble, and rescue efforts are hampered by freezing temperatures and persistent aftershocks. Shigatse, one of Tibet’s holiest cities, suffered significant damage, reminiscent of its plight during the 2015 Nepal earthquake.
Chinese President Xi Jinping called for “all-out efforts” to rescue trapped residents, minimise casualties, and secure shelter for displaced families. The central government dispatched 22, 000 disaster relief items, including winter supplies like tents and quilts, to the region, which experiences harsh winters at altitudes exceeding 4, 000 metres.
In Nepal, the tremors were strongly felt in the capital, Kathmandu, 230 kilometres away, and other northern districts, forcing residents to flee to open spaces. Although there were no fatalities in Nepal, there were only minor structural damage reports, particularly in high-altitude regions like Solukhumbu, close to Mount Everest.
Aftershocks and historical seismic activity
Within hours, there were approximately 50 aftershocks of magnitudes ranging from 4.5 to 550. The Tibetan plateau, situated at the collision zone of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates, is highly prone to earthquakes. The region’s worst disasters include the earthquake that killed nearly 9, 000 people in Nepal and damaged Tibet in particular in 2015.
Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama expressed condolences, saying he was “deeply saddened” by the loss of life and destruction. While vice premier Zhang Guoqing oversees relief efforts on-site, the Chinese military also deployed drones and air support to assess the disaster zone.
