A powerful earthquake with a magnitude of 7.1 hit Tibet’s Shigatse city on Tuesday morning, killing at least 95 people and injuring 130 others. The tremors were felt in Nepal and parts of India. The earthquake struck at around 09:00 local time (01:00 GMT) at a depth of 10 kilometers. The region, which sits on a major geological fault line, has experienced frequent seismic activity, and several aftershocks followed.
The earthquake caused significant damage, with more than 1,000 houses destroyed and power and water supplies disrupted. Shigatse, known as a holy city and the seat of the Panchen Lama, was particularly affected. Temperatures in the area are plunging to -18°C, complicating rescue efforts.
Videos from China’s state broadcaster showed collapsed buildings and rescue workers digging through rubble. The Chinese government has launched rescue operations, and President Xi Jinping has ordered all-out search and rescue efforts.
While tremors were also felt in Nepal, no major casualties have been reported there, though some minor damage occurred.
Shigatse’s proximity to Mount Everest also led to the cancellation of sightseeing tours. Tibet, under Chinese control since the 1950s, is known for its seismic activity due to its location along the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates.
