Tue Jan 07 16:11:17 UTC 2025: ## Devastating Earthquake in Tibet Kills Over 100, Injures Hundreds
**Kathmandu/Beijing –** A powerful earthquake struck Tingri County in Tibet near Mount Everest on Tuesday morning, resulting in at least 126 deaths and over 180 injuries. The quake, measured at 6.8 magnitude by Chinese authorities and 7.1 by the US Geological Survey, struck at 6:35 am local time, approximately 80 kilometers north of Mount Everest. Strong tremors were felt across a wide area, including Nepal, Bhutan, and parts of India. Kathmandu, Nepal, some 400 kilometers from the epicenter, experienced strong shaking, but reported no casualties.
The earthquake, attributed to the ongoing collision of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates, occurred within the seismically active Lhasa block. A recent study suggests that the Indian plate is slowly tearing apart beneath Tibet, a process that could significantly influence seismic activity in the region and potentially divide Tibet into two parts, although this would not be visibly apparent on the surface.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has ordered a comprehensive response to minimize casualties and ensure the resettlement of those affected. Emergency response teams are currently on the ground, working amidst ongoing aftershocks. As a precaution, China has closed tourist areas on its side of Mount Everest. The Himalayas remain a highly active geological zone, and scientists warn of continued high seismic risk due to the persistent collision of tectonic plates. The full extent of the damage and the final casualty figures are still being assessed.
First Piper 