A powerful earthquake with a magnitude of 7.1 struck Tibet, causing widespread destruction and loss of life. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported that the earthquake occurred 10 kilometers beneath the earth’s surface, with its epicenter located 75 kilometers from Mount Everest in Nepal.
The disaster claimed at least 53 lives and left 62 injured. Many buildings in the region collapsed, leaving communities devastated. The tremors were so strong they were felt in Nepal, Bhutan, and northern India, causing widespread panic.
The earthquake primarily hit Tibet’s Shigatse region near the Nepal border, home to around 800,000 people. This culturally significant area, known for being the seat of the Panchen Lama, experienced severe destruction, with several villages reporting extensive damage.
Beyond Tibet, the quake’s tremors reached Nepal’s capital, Kathmandu, located 380 kilometers from the epicenter, as well as Bhutan’s capital, Thimphu. Residents in northern India, including Bihar, also felt the shocks, but Indian authorities reported no major damage or casualties.
The region, where the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates collide, is prone to frequent earthquakes. Notable past disasters include Nepal’s 2015 earthquake, which caused nearly 9,000 deaths, and China’s 2008 Sichuan earthquake, which resulted in approximately 70,000 fatalities.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has urged authorities to prioritize rescue efforts and provide warm shelters and essential supplies to affected residents. Rescue teams are working to locate survivors and provide relief amid the harsh winter conditions.
The earthquake’s proximity to Mount Everest raised concerns for climbers. Nepal’s tourism department confirmed that the only climber permitted to summit Everest this season, a German mountaineer, is safe at the mountain’s base camp.
Efforts remain focused on rescuing survivors and minimizing further losses as this tragic event underscores the need for disaster preparedness in seismically active regions.
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