Wed Jan 08 03:23:05 UTC 2025: ## Himalayan Earthquake: Over 400 Rescued, 126 Dead in Tibet
**Beijing, January 8, 2025** – A powerful 7.1 magnitude earthquake that struck the foothills of the Himalayas on Tuesday has claimed at least 126 lives and injured 188 in China’s Tibet Autonomous Region. Over 400 people trapped in the rubble have been rescued, and more than 30,000 residents have been relocated as rescue efforts continue into a second day.
The epicenter of the quake, one of the region’s strongest in recent years, was located near Tingri, approximately 80 kilometers north of Mount Everest. The tremors were felt in neighboring Nepal, Bhutan, and India, although no fatalities have been reported outside of Tibet.
Initial assessments reveal that 3,609 homes were destroyed in the Shigatse region of Tibet. Over 500 rescue personnel and 106 ambulances have been deployed. The extremely low temperatures, dropping to -18 degrees Celsius overnight, pose a significant threat to survivors, raising concerns about hypothermia and dehydration. However, aid including tents, food, and generators, has reached the affected areas, and damaged roads have been reopened.
The earthquake is attributed to the collision of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates, a common cause of seismic activity in the region. Over 500 aftershocks have followed the initial quake. This event marks the region’s most significant earthquake since a 6.2 magnitude quake in 2023. While the Chinese government is actively managing the relief efforts, it continues to face criticism from human rights groups regarding its treatment of the Tibetan people.
First Piper 