At least 53 people have died, and 62 others are injured following a powerful earthquake that struck China’s mountainous Tibet region on Tuesday morning, according to Chinese state media.
The 7.1-magnitude quake hit Shigatse, a sacred city in Tibet, at around 9:00 am local time (01:00 GMT). Data from the US Geological Survey recorded a depth of 10 kilometers (6 miles) and noted several aftershocks in the area. Neighboring Nepal and parts of India also felt the tremors.
Tibet, situated on a major geological fault line, frequently experiences earthquakes. Shigatse, considered one of Tibet’s holiest cities, is the traditional seat of the Panchen Lama, a prominent figure in Tibetan Buddhism second only to the Dalai Lama.
Chinese state media reported a slightly lower magnitude of 6.8, highlighting “obvious” tremors and damage to over 1,000 houses. Social media posts showed buildings collapsing, while strong aftershocks continued to shake the region.
Jiang Haikun, a researcher at the China Earthquake Networks Center, told CCTV that while aftershocks may persist, including quakes of around magnitude 5, the likelihood of a larger earthquake is low.
Rescue operations are underway, with the Chinese air force deploying personnel and drones to the area. The affected region, located near Mount Everest, is enduring freezing temperatures, with power and water supplies cut off.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for comprehensive rescue efforts, urging authorities to minimize casualties and provide resettlement for displaced residents.
Although tremors were felt in Nepal, no casualties or damage were reported, according to officials in Nepal’s Namche region near Everest.
Tibet’s earthquake bureau informed the BBC that casualty figures are still being verified. The region’s seismic activity is attributed to its position along the fault line where the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates meet. A devastating 7.8-magnitude earthquake near Kathmandu, Nepal, in 2015 resulted in nearly 9,000 deaths and over 20,000 injuries.
