In brief
A powerful 7.1 magnitude earthquake hit Tibet's Shigatse city on Tuesday morning, causing widespread devastation and prompting rescue efforts amidst freezing temperatures.
A powerful earthquake measuring 7.1 on the Richter scale struck the Tibetan city of Shigatse on Tuesday morning, resulting in at least 32 confirmed fatalities and 38 injuries, according to reports from Chinese state media. The tremor, which occurred at 09:00 local time (01:00 GMT), had a depth of 10 kilometers (approximately six miles). The US Geological Survey recorded the quake, which was followed by a series of significant aftershocks.The impact of the earthquake was felt far beyond Tibet, with tremors recorded in neighboring Nepal and parts of India. Shigatse, revered as one of Tibet's holiest cities and the traditional seat of the Panchen Lama, was particularly hard hit. The city is located on a prime geological fault line and is no stranger to seismic activity, making this disaster part of a troubling pattern in the region.While Chinese state media reported a slightly lower magnitude of 6.8, they noted that over 1,000 residences sustained damage. Eyewitness accounts on social media depicted severe destruction, including the collapse of buildings. Jiang Haikun, a researcher at the China Earthquake Networks Center, indicated that while smaller aftershocks could continue, a major quake was unlikely in the near future.In response to the disaster, the Chinese air force has mobilized to conduct rescue operations, deploying drones to assess damage even as temperatures in the affected area plummeted below freezing. Power and water supplies remain cut off, complicating relief efforts. Reports from Nepal indicated a lack of damage or casualties in their regions despite the tremors felt.Tibet's earthquake bureau has stated that casualty figures are still being confirmed and have urged patience as they verify the ongoing situation. The region's history with earthquakes includes significant past events, such as the 2015 Kathmandu quake which resulted in nearly 9,000 deaths and over 20,000 injuries, casting a long shadow over this new disaster.
