Deadly earthquake in Tibet claims 53 Lives

A powerful earthquake hit Tibet on Tuesday, January 7, causing the death toll to rise to 53. 

The quake struck the Himalayan region in China, with its magnitude being reported as 6.8 by Chinese state media, though Indian reports suggested it was 7.1.

The tremors were not only limited to Tibet but also spread across Nepal, Bhutan, and parts of India, shaking the neighboring regions.

According to Reuters, the earthquake hit the town of Tingri in Tibet at around 9:05 AM local time, with the epicenter located 10 kilometers deep, as reported by the China Earthquake Networks Center.

China’s national broadcaster, CCTV, confirmed the tragic death toll of 53 in Tibet due to the quake.

The effects were also felt in Nepal, where the quake was recorded as 7.1 in magnitude. 

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) shared that it struck the Lobuche region, located about 93 kilometers from the Nepal-Tibet border, at around 6:35 AM Nepal time.

Nepal, situated in a seismically active region due to the collision between the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates, often experiences earthquakes.

The country has faced devastating quakes in the past, including the 2015 disaster, which had a magnitude of 7.8 and killed 9,000 people while injuring 22,000 more. 

Over half a million homes were destroyed in that catastrophe.

This recent earthquake is another reminder of the region’s vulnerability to natural disasters. 

The authorities are continuing rescue and relief operations in the affected areas.