In brief
An earthquake with a magnitude of 7.1 has struck Tibet's Shigatse city, leading to at least 32 fatalities and many injuries, while rescue efforts are underway amidst harsh conditions.
At least 32 people have been reported dead and 38 injured following a powerful earthquake that shook the mountainous region of Tibet on Tuesday morning, according to Chinese state media. The quake, which registered a magnitude of 7.1 at a depth of 10 kilometers (approximately six miles), occurred in Shigatse city around 09:00 local time (01:00 GMT). The US Geological Survey also noted that the region experienced several aftershocks.Residents in neighboring Nepal and parts of India also felt the tremors, which is a common occurrence in this area known for its seismic activities due to its positioning on a significant geological fault line. Shigatse, revered as one of Tibet's holiest cities, is the traditional residence of the Panchen Lama, a pivotal figure in Tibetan Buddhism.While Chinese state media reported the quake with a slightly lower magnitude of 6.8, they noted obvious tremors leading to the damage of over 1,000 buildings. Footage shared on social media reveals collapsing structures, and experts suggest there may still be strong aftershocks.Jiang Haikun, a specialist from the China Earthquake Networks Center, reassured that while there might still be an earthquake of around magnitude 5, the chance of experiencing a larger quake is unlikely. The Chinese air force has mobilized for rescue operations and is utilizing drones to assess the damage in the affected areas, which are situated at the base of Mount Everest where temperatures remain extremely low. Power and water services in the region have been disrupted.Although tremors were felt across the border in Nepal, officials in Namche region reported no injuries or significant damage. Tibet's earthquake bureau stated they are currently verifying casualty estimates and could not provide clear numbers at this time.This region frequently experiences earthquakes, a phenomenon that became tragically evident during a 2015 earthquake near Kathmandu in Nepal, which resulted in nearly 9,000 deaths and over 20,000 injuries.
