A powerful earthquake in Tibet on Tuesday claimed at least 95 lives and left numerous others trapped as aftershocks rocked the high-altitude region of western China and parts of Nepal.
Authorities reported that 130 people sustained injuries, according to state broadcaster CCTV. Rescue footage displayed emergency workers in orange suits navigating debris-strewn areas, with collapsed structures and crushed vehicles visible.
State media cited the Tibet earthquake relief headquarters, noting around 1,000 homes sustained damage and 130 people were injured in addition to the fatalities.
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) registered the earthquake at magnitude 7.1 with a depth of 10 kilometers (6 miles), while Chinese officials recorded it as magnitude 6.8. The epicenter was located roughly 75 kilometers (50 miles) northeast of Mount Everest, along the seismically active India-Eurasia tectonic boundary, responsible for shaping the Himalayan mountains.
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Within three hours, around 50 aftershocks followed the main tremor, prompting the closure of the Mount Everest scenic area on the Chinese side.
The Ministry of Emergency Management deployed approximately 1,500 fire and rescue personnel, while an additional 200 soldiers joined search efforts, CCTV reported.
Chinese President Xi Jinping urged swift action to rescue victims, reduce casualties, and provide shelter for those displaced. Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing was sent to oversee rescue operations.
The quake struck near several communities, with the closest around 5 kilometers (3 miles) from the epicenter. It was located approximately 380 kilometers (240 miles) from Tibet's capital, Lhasa, and 23 kilometers (14 miles) from Shigatse, Tibet’s second-largest city, also known as Xigaze.
The China Earthquake Networks Center reported the area’s average altitude as approximately 4,200 meters (13,800 feet).
Across the border in Nepal, authorities instructed officials to assess damage and casualties. Nepal’s National Emergency Operation Center in Kathmandu confirmed no immediate reports of damage or injuries, although the tremor was strongly felt.
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In Solukhumbu district, home to Mount Everest, no damage was reported. The region, usually bustling with trekkers, was largely vacant due to harsh winter conditions.
In Nepal’s capital, Kathmandu, about 230 kilometers (140 miles) from the epicenter, the quake startled residents, prompting them to rush outdoors.
The USGS reported at least 10 earthquakes of magnitude 6 or higher have struck the region over the past century.