Tue Jan 07 15:35:31 IST 2025: ## Devastating Earthquake Strikes Tibet, Killing Dozens and Leaving Thousands Homeless
**Shigatse, Tibet –** A powerful earthquake measuring 7.1 on the Richter scale (6.8 according to the China Earthquake Networks Center) struck the remote Shigatse region of Tibet on Tuesday, leaving at least 95 people dead and over 130 injured. Tremors were felt as far away as Nepal, India, and Bhutan, causing widespread panic and prompting rescue efforts.
The epicenter was located in Dingri county, near Mount Everest, at a depth of approximately 10 kilometers. The quake, which hit just after 9:05 am local time, caused significant infrastructural damage, with over 1,000 homes destroyed or severely damaged. Images and videos show collapsed buildings and debris-strewn streets. The extreme cold (-8 degrees Celsius at the time of the quake, expected to drop to -18 degrees Celsius) is hampering rescue operations in the already remote area.
Chinese state media reported that 1,500 rescue workers, including military personnel, have been deployed to the affected areas, along with 22,000 items of disaster relief aid, including tents and warm clothing. President Xi Jinping has emphasized the importance of swift and comprehensive rescue and resettlement efforts.
While no significant casualties or damage have been reported in Nepal, India, and Bhutan, tremors were widely felt. Kathmandu experienced strong shaking, forcing some residents to flee their homes, and one man sustained injuries jumping from a house. Tremors were also reported in northern India’s Bihar state and Bhutan’s capital, Thimphu.
The Tibetan Plateau is a seismically active zone, prone to earthquakes due to the collision of tectonic plates. While the area has experienced several smaller quakes in recent years, Tuesday’s quake is considered one of the most powerful in the region in the last century, raising concerns about the scale of the ongoing humanitarian crisis.
First Piper 