Powerful Earthquake Strikes China’s Tibet Region, Killing at Least 32
Overview
A powerful earthquake struck China’s remote Tibet region, killing at least 32 people and collapsing "many buildings" on Tuesday, according to state media. The quake, which had a magnitude of 6.8, was felt in neighboring Nepal’s capital Kathmandu and parts of India.
Impact
The earthquake struck Dingri county with a magnitude of 6.8 near the border with Nepal at 9:05 am (0105 GMT), according to the China Earthquake Networks Center (CENC). The US Geological Survey reported the tremor as magnitude 7.1. Videos published by China’s state broadcaster CCTV showed destroyed houses with walls torn apart and rubble strewn across the ruins in the aftermath of the earthquake.
Thirty-two people have been confirmed dead and 38 injured during the 6.8-magnitude earthquake that jolted Dingri County in the city of Xigaze in Xizang (Tibet) Autonomous Region at 9:05 am Tuesday, Xinhua news agency said, citing the regional disaster relief headquarters.
Assessment
Dingri county and its surrounding areas experienced very strong tremors, and many buildings near the epicentre have collapsed, state broadcaster CCTV said earlier. Xinhua said local authorities are reaching out to various townships in the county to assess the impact of the quake.
Weather Conditions
Temperatures in Dingri are around minus 8 degrees Celsius (46 degrees Fahrenheit) and will drop to minus 18 this evening, according to the China Meteorological Administration.
Location and Demographics
The high-altitude county in the Tibet region is home to around 62,000 people and situated on the Chinese side of Mount Everest. While earthquakes are common in the region, Tuesday’s quake was the most powerful recorded within a 200-kilometre radius in the last five years, the CENC added.
International Impact
As well as Kathmandu, areas around Lobuche in Nepal in the high mountains near Everest were also rattled by the tremor and aftershocks. "It shook quite strongly here, everyone is awake," said government official Jagat Prasad Bhusal in Nepal’s Namche region, which lies nearer to Everest. But no damage or deaths had been reported so far and security forces had been deployed, Nepali Home Minister spokesman Rishi Ram Tiwari said.
Nepal lies on a major geological faultline where the Indian tectonic plate pushes up into the Eurasian plate, forming the Himalayas, and earthquakes are a regular occurrence. Some tremors were felt in Bihar state in India but no injuries were reported.
Recent Earthquakes
Three people were killed and dozens injured after a 7.0-magnitude earthquake struck along the mountainous China-Kyrgyzstan border in January last year. A quake in December 2023 in northwest China killed 148 people and displaced thousands in Gansu province. That quake was China’s deadliest since 2014, when more than 600 people were killed in southwestern Yunnan province.
Conclusion
The earthquake in China’s Tibet region has resulted in significant loss of life and damage to infrastructure. The remote location and harsh weather conditions have made the relief efforts challenging. The international community is monitoring the situation and providing support to the affected areas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How many people were killed in the earthquake?
A: At least 32 people have been confirmed dead.
Q: What was the magnitude of the earthquake?
A: The earthquake had a magnitude of 6.8, according to the China Earthquake Networks Center (CENC).
Q: Where was the epicentre of the earthquake?
A: The epicentre of the earthquake was in Dingri county, near the border with Nepal.
Q: How many people were injured in the earthquake?
A: Thirty-eight people were injured during the earthquake.
Q: What is the current situation in Nepal?
A: Some tremors were felt in Nepal, but no damage or deaths have been reported so far. Security forces have been deployed to the affected areas.