Tue Jan 07 07:44:28 IST 2025: ## Powerful Earthquake Strikes Tibet, Killing Dozens and Triggering Widespread Tremors
**Kathmandu, Nepal/Beijing, China –** A strong earthquake measuring 6.8 on the China Earthquake Networks Center scale (7.1 according to the USGS) struck near Shigatse, Tibet, on Tuesday, killing at least 53 people and injuring 62, according to Chinese officials. The quake, which hit at 9:05 am local time (01:05 GMT) at a depth of 10km, triggered widespread panic and damage across the region.
The epicenter was located in a mountainous area, making rescue efforts challenging. The Ministry of Emergency Management deployed 1,500 firefighters and rescue workers to search for survivors trapped in the rubble of collapsed buildings in the townships of Changsuo, Quluo, and Cuoguo in Tingri County. Images from the affected areas show extensive damage to homes and infrastructure. Al Jazeera reported that the death toll is expected to rise, exacerbated by the remote location of affected villages and the onset of winter. Tremors were also felt as far away as Kathmandu, Nepal, and northern India, causing buildings to shake and residents to flee their homes.
While no casualties have been reported in Nepal, authorities are assessing the impact. Strong tremors were felt across Kathmandu and other western districts, with residents reporting strong shaking. Jagat Prasad Bhusal, a government official in Nepal’s Namche region near Mount Everest, confirmed the tremors but reported no immediate damage.
The area has a history of seismic activity, with CCTV reporting 29 earthquakes of magnitude 3 or higher within 200km of the epicenter in the past five years. The quake serves as a stark reminder of the region’s vulnerability, following devastating earthquakes in Sichuan, China (2008) and Nepal (2015). The aftershocks, the strongest measuring 4.4, continue to pose a risk. Rescue operations are underway, but the challenging terrain and weather conditions are hindering efforts.
First Piper 