The death toll from a powerful earthquake in Tibet has risen to at least 53, with many buildings collapsing and widespread damage reported. The tremor, which struck near the Nepalese border, was felt in neighboring Nepal’s capital Kathmandu and parts of India
Videos broadcast by China’s state-run CCTV showed scenes of widespread destruction, with homes torn apart and walls crumbling. Rescue teams were seen sifting through rubble in search of survivors, while providing blankets to locals seeking warmth.
Surveillance footage aired by CCTV also depicted the chaos in a store, with shelves shaking violently and items like toys crashing to the floor. In Lhatse town, videos verified by AFP showed debris scattered outside streetside restaurants.
The earthquake struck Dingri County near the Nepalese border at 9:05 am (1:05 am Irish time), registering a magnitude of 6.8 according to the China Earthquake Networks Center (CENC). The US Geological Survey reported a slightly higher magnitude of 7.1.
As of Tuesday noon, Xinhua news agency reported that 53 people had died, and 62 others were injured. More than 1,000 homes were damaged to varying extents. The epicenter in Dingri County experienced powerful tremors, and several buildings in the surrounding area collapsed.
The tremors extended beyond China, reaching parts of Nepal. “It shook quite strongly here, everyone is awake,” said government official Jagat Prasad Bhusal in Nepal’s Namche region near Everest, although no casualties or damage had been reported in Nepal.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has instructed authorities to conduct a full-scale search and rescue operation to minimize casualties, ensure proper resettlement for affected residents, and provide warmth through the harsh winter conditions. CCTV reported that aid has already been dispatched, including tents, quilts, and supplies suited for high-altitude environments.
The temperatures in Dingri are expected to drop to minus 18 degrees Celsius this evening, exacerbating the challenges faced by rescue workers. The region is home to around 62,000 people and sits near Mount Everest.
Although earthquakes are common in the area, this was the most powerful earthquake within a 200-kilometer radius in the last five years, the CENC noted.
In addition to Nepal, tremors were also felt in Bihar state in India, though no casualties were reported. However, the impact of the earthquake was far-reaching; it comes after a similar deadly earthquake in December 2023 in Gansu province, which left 148 people dead and displaced thousands.
The earthquake in Tibet is one of several recent deadly quakes in the region, with previous tremors in 2023 and 2024 also causing significant damage and casualties.
