Tibet Quake Leaves 53 Dead, Tremors Rattle Nepal’s Kathmandu and Indian States

AFP | Beijing, China
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A powerful earthquake struck Dingri County in Tibet's remote Xizang Autonomous Region on Tuesday morning, leaving at least 53 dead and 62 injured, according to Chinese state media. The 7.1-magnitude quake, as recorded by the US Geological Survey, caused widespread destruction, collapsing numerous buildings and damaging over 1,000 homes.

The tremors were felt across the Himalayas, reaching Nepal's capital, Kathmandu, and Indian states including Bihar, Assam, and West Bengal. Residents in affected regions described strong tremors that sent people rushing out of their homes and into freezing temperatures.

Epicenter in Dingri County

The earthquake hit Dingri County, a high-altitude area home to 62,000 people, located near the border with Nepal and about 400 km from Tibet's capital, Lhasa. The county is also a gateway for Mount Everest tourism. Videos shared by Chinese state media showed rescue workers sifting through rubble, distributing thick blankets to survivors, and navigating streets filled with debris.

The quake struck at 9:05 am local time and was followed by several aftershocks, including magnitudes of 4.7 and 4.9. Temperatures in the region plummeted to minus 8°C, complicating rescue and relief efforts.

Rescue and Relief Efforts

Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for comprehensive search and rescue operations, emphasizing the need to minimize casualties and provide warmth to affected residents during the harsh winter. Central authorities have dispatched disaster relief supplies, including cotton tents, quilts, and other essentials for frigid conditions.

Surveillance footage from stores in Shigatse City, located 180 km from the epicenter, captured the violent shaking, with shelves collapsing and customers fleeing. The quake is the strongest recorded in the region within a 200-km radius in the last five years, according to the China Earthquake Networks Center (CENC).

Widespread Impact Across the Himalayas

In Nepal, the tremors were felt strongly in areas near Mount Everest, including Namche Bazaar and Lobuche. Residents reported significant shaking but no immediate damage. Similarly, Indian states like Bihar experienced tremors, though no casualties were reported.

This quake serves as a stark reminder of the seismic vulnerability of the Himalayan region. The 2015 Nepal earthquake, which claimed nearly 9,000 lives, and more recent quakes in China underscore the region’s persistent geological risks.

Global Condolences and Support

The international community has extended condolences to those affected, and disaster experts have called for enhanced preparedness in the region.