A powerful earthquake struck Tibet on Tuesday, killing at least 126 people and injuring 188 others, as rescue workers continue to search for survivors in the affected areas. The 7.1 magnitude quake, which hit the northern foothills of the Himalayas at around 09:00 local time, caused extensive damage, with more than 1,000 buildings reported as destroyed.
The earthquake, centered in Tingri county, near Mount Everest, was felt in neighboring Nepal and parts of India. Chinese state media reported that the earthquake’s impact was devastating, with significant destruction seen in Shigatse, Tibet’s second-largest city. Videos aired by China’s state broadcaster CCTV showed collapsed buildings, rubble-filled streets, and rescue teams distributing blankets to those displaced by the tremors.
Temperatures in the region were already plummeting, with forecasts predicting lows of -16°C (3.2°F) overnight, adding to the challenges faced by both survivors and rescuers. “Here the houses are made from dirt, so when the earthquake came, many houses collapsed,” said Sangji Dangzhi, a local supermarket owner whose home was damaged. He described ambulances rushing the injured to nearby hospitals throughout the day.
As the search for survivors continues, authorities are contending with disrupted power and water supplies, and aftershocks continue to shake the region. More than 40 aftershocks were recorded in the first hours following the initial earthquake, adding to the instability. Though there is a risk of another quake, Chinese officials have stated that the likelihood of a larger earthquake is low.
The epicenter of the quake lies in Tingri county, a popular base for climbers preparing to ascend Mount Everest. Scheduled sightseeing tours were cancelled, and tourists were evacuated to safety as a precaution.
The quake’s impact has been felt beyond Tibet, with neighboring Nepal experiencing strong tremors, although no major casualties or damage were reported. In the aftermath, many residents in Kathmandu, Nepal’s capital, recalled the deadly 2015 earthquake, which claimed nearly 9,000 lives.
In Tibet, the Shigatse region, which is home to 800,000 people, has been the focal point of recovery efforts. The region is also the spiritual seat of the Panchen Lama, one of Tibetan Buddhism’s most important figures. The exiled Dalai Lama offered his condolences, expressing his deep sorrow for the victims and wishing for the swift recovery of the injured.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for all-out search and rescue operations, and the Chinese air force has deployed drones to assist in the relief efforts. Meanwhile, rescue teams continue to work under extreme conditions, racing against the clock to locate survivors before the freezing temperatures set in.
