A powerful 7.1-magnitude earthquake struck near Shigatse, Tibet, on Tuesday morning, killing at least 126 people and injuring 188, according to Chinese state media. The earthquake, which occurred at 9:05 a.m. local time, had a shallow depth of 10 kilometers (6.2 miles), intensifying its destructive impact. Over 3,600 houses were reported damaged, with approximately 1,000 completely destroyed, leaving thousands displaced in the sub-zero temperatures of the Himalayan region.
The quake’s epicenter was located in Tingri County, just 50 miles north of Mount Everest, a remote area with around 6,900 residents spread across 27 isolated villages. The tremors were so powerful that residents in Shigatse, Tibet’s second-largest city and home to 800,000 people, rushed into the streets for safety. Surveillance footage showed goods falling from shelves in local supermarkets. Nearby Lhatse County witnessed crumbled shopfronts and debris-covered roads.
Chinese President Xi Jinping called for “all-out search and rescue efforts” to minimize casualties and ensure a warm and safe winter for survivors. Premier Li Qiang emphasized the urgency of keeping residents warm as temperatures in the affected regions dropped as low as -18°C (0°F).
Regional Impact and Global Responses
The earthquake’s tremors were felt far beyond Tibet, shaking buildings as far as Kathmandu, Nepal, and the Indian state of Bihar. In Kathmandu, residents recalled wires shaking loose and walls trembling, prompting people to flee their homes. Nepal reported 13 injuries and damage to 10 houses, while India confirmed no major losses.
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The Dalai Lama, Tibet’s spiritual leader in exile, expressed deep sadness over the tragedy, offering prayers for the deceased and injured. The Central Tibetan Administration also extended condolences and announced prayer services in solidarity.
Shigatse, revered as the seat of the Panchen Lama, witnessed significant damage to infrastructure. Videos shared on social media depicted villagers sitting by crumpled homes, wrapped in blankets and sipping hot water to combat the cold. Meanwhile, authorities temporarily closed Mount Everest’s base camp to visitors, though no damages were reported at the site.
Rescue Efforts Amid Aftershocks
Rescue operations are in full swing, with over 1,500 firefighters and military personnel dispatched to the region. Helicopters from Tibet Airlines and Air China ferried medical teams, food supplies, and emergency tents to the quake-hit areas. So far, 22,000 relief items, including quilts, tents, and folding beds, have been distributed to survivors.
China’s Earthquake Networks Center reported more than 150 aftershocks, 19 of which had magnitudes above 3.0. Dingri County, home to about 60,000 people, was one of the hardest-hit areas. Rescue teams faced additional challenges as communication lines in three villages were disrupted, and roads were blocked by fallen rocks.
In Tingri County, police and villagers sifted through rubble with bare hands to search for survivors. Video footage captured collapsed homes and devastated streets. A Chinese air force contingent of 200 soldiers was deployed for immediate relief, with 1,500 more on standby.
Historical Context and Ongoing Vulnerabilities
The Himalayan region is highly prone to seismic activity due to the collision of tectonic plates. Tibet has experienced 29 earthquakes of magnitude 3.0 or higher in the past five years, though none matched the severity of Tuesday’s disaster. Comparisons were drawn to the 2015 Nepal earthquake, which registered a magnitude of 7.8, killing nearly 9,000 people and injuring thousands more.
The Sichuan earthquake of 2008, which claimed 70,000 lives, remains one of China’s deadliest natural disasters. The latest tremor serves as a stark reminder of the region’s vulnerability and the urgent need for robust disaster preparedness.
As search and rescue operations continue, survivors face the daunting challenge of rebuilding their lives amid freezing temperatures and ongoing aftershocks.