Tue Jan 07 13:34:02 UTC 2025: ## Devastating Earthquake Strikes Near Mount Everest, Killing Dozens

**Kathmandu, Nepal/Beijing, China –** A powerful earthquake measuring 6.8 on the Chinese seismic scale (7.1 USGS) struck near Mount Everest in Tibet on January 7, 2025, claiming at least 90 lives and injuring over 130 others. The quake, which struck at 9:05 a.m. local time, had a shallow depth of just 10 kilometers, amplifying its destructive force across a wide area.

The epicenter was located in Tingri County, approximately 80 kilometers north of Mount Everest. The shallow depth and magnitude resulted in widespread damage, particularly in towns surrounding Shigatse, Tibet’s second-largest city, where numerous buildings collapsed. Rescue efforts are underway, with approximately 1,500 emergency workers searching for survivors amidst the rubble.

Strong tremors were felt as far away as Kathmandu, Nepal, prompting evacuations. While no immediate casualties were reported in Nepal, authorities are assessing potential damage. The earthquake also impacted Bhutan and parts of northern India.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has ordered a full-scale mobilization to minimize casualties and provide resettlement for those affected. Aftershocks continue to shake the region, hindering rescue and assessment efforts.

The earthquake’s occurrence is attributed to the ongoing collision between the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates, a process that has formed the Himalayas and created a historically seismically active zone. The quake resulted from a rupture in the Lhasa block, a geologically significant region in southern Tibet subject to intense tectonic forces.

The situation remains critical, with officials working to determine the full extent of the damage and provide essential aid to the affected communities.

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