A powerful earthquake measuring 7.1 on the Richter scale struck near Dingri County, Tibet, on Tuesday morning, resulting in at least 53 fatalities and injuring over 62 others. The earthquake, which occurred at 9:05 AM local time, sent shockwaves felt as far away as Kathmandu, Nepal, and parts of northern India.
According to reports from the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the quake’s epicenter was located close to the Himalayan border with Nepal, approximately 50 miles north of Mount Everest. The China Earthquake Networks Center described the earthquake with frequent aftershocks, leading to significant damage within the region.
“It was very strong. People came running out of their houses. You could see the wires from poles shaken loose,” reported Bishal Nath Upreti from the Nepal Centre for Disaster Management based on the strong tremors experienced across the border.
Chinese state media, particularly from Xinhua, confirmed the deaths and noted the damage to over 1,000 houses, especially within the sparsely populated areas surrounding the epicenter. Just under 6,900 people live within approximately 20 kilometers of where the quake struck, which is prone to such seismic activity.
Rescue operations, involving nearly 1,500 emergency personnel and even the Chinese air force, were quickly mobilized to search for survivors and minimize casualties. Efforts, hampered by heavy winter conditions where temperatures were reported to dip as low as minus 18 degrees Celsius, included immigration police digging through rubble by hand.
Footage showed severe damages including collapsed rooftops and debris-strewn streets in Lhatse County, around 86 kilometers from the epicenter. Many buildings near the quake's center crumbled under the tremors, creating treacherous conditions for rescuers.
The tremors were so strong they triggered memories of the devastating 7.8-magnitude 2015 earthquake near Kathmandu, which claimed nearly 9,000 lives. “We felt a very strong earthquake but so far we have not received any report of injuries or physical loss,” stated Anoj Raj Ghimire, chief district officer of Solukhumbu district, reflecting the fears echoed throughout the region as locals mobilized for safety.
Chinese President Xi Jinping was quick to call for all-out rescue efforts, emphasizing the importance of addressing the immediate needs of affected residents. His statements highlighted the urgency of preventing secondary disasters resulting from the quake.
This earthquake marked the most powerful tremor recorded within the last five years within the 200-kilometer radius of the region, prompting widespread alerts and mobilization by local authorities. The Ministry of Emergency Management reported multiple aftershocks, the strongest measuring about 4.4.
Videos circulating online captured snapshots of the chaos ensuing post-quake: customers fleeing supermarkets and damaged property everywhere—a stark reminder of the natural forces at play within this tectonically active zone.
The Tibetan region remains one of the most politically sensitive areas within China, with access often restricted. Yet, rescue teams continued to face these severe conditions as they worked to reach those stranded, providing shelter and warmth as quickly as possible.
While the immediate aftermath of this earthquake reveals significant destruction and loss, the collective response from both local and international communities remains resolute. With efforts still underway to assess the full toll of the disaster, communities hold hope for survivor recovery amid challenging conditions.