In brief
An earthquake with a 7.1 magnitude has struck Tibet's Shigatse city, claiming at least 32 lives and injuring many others, while causing extensive structural damage and prompting rescue responses from Chinese authorities.
A major earthquake shook the holy city of Shigatse in Tibet on Tuesday morning at around 09:00 local time (01:00 GMT), registering a magnitude of 7.1 and a depth of 10 kilometers (about six miles). Initial reports confirm that at least 32 individuals have died and another 38 sustained injuries due to the tremor, with over 1,000 houses damaged. Tremors were felt not just in Shigatse, a pivotal city in Tibetan Buddhism, but also in neighboring Nepal and parts of India. The US Geological Survey recorded several aftershocks following the main quake. Despite Chinese state media reporting a slightly lower magnitude of 6.8, the effects were significant, leading to widespread destruction. Emergency responders, including the Chinese air force, have been dispatched to the area, which is near Mount Everest and experiencing harsh freezing conditions. Essential services like power and water are down, complicating rescue efforts. Although tremors were also sensed in Nepal, officials confirmed that there were no known damages or casualties there. Tibet’s seismic history, marked by frequent earthquakes due to the collision of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates, raises concerns about future quakes. To illustrate, a devastating 7.8 magnitude quake in 2015 near Kathmandu led to nearly 9,000 fatalities. As rescuers work to assess the situation, more updates are anticipated.
