A powerful earthquake struck a remote area of Tibet, killing at least 126 people and injuring 188.
The quake, measuring 7.1 in magnitude, occurred at 9:05 a.m. local time near the border with Nepal and was felt across the Himalayas, including Nepal, Bhutan, and northern India. Rescue efforts are underway as thousands have been displaced.
The epicentre was in Tingri county, about 50 miles north of Mount Everest. The quake, at a shallow depth of 10 kilometres, caused severe damage to villages and towns. More than 3,600 homes were destroyed, and at least 400 people were rescued from collapsed buildings by emergency workers and the Chinese military. Over 30,000 residents have been relocated to safer areas.
In Nepal’s capital, Kathmandu, strong tremors shook buildings and sent people running into the streets. “You could see wires shaking and debris falling,” said Bishal Nath Upreti of Nepal’s Disaster Management Center.
With many villages in the quake zone located in remote and mountainous areas, rescue teams face challenges in reaching survivors. Helicopters and relief teams are continuing their search for more survivors amid freezing winter conditions.
This earthquake is a stark reminder of the region’s vulnerability to tectonic activity, with experts urging better preparedness in these high-risk areas.
