A magnitude-6.8 earthquake struck near one of Tibet’s holiest cities on Tuesday, killing at least 95 people and injuring 130 others. Earthquake tremors were also felt in the neighboring country Nepal, due to which buildings started shaking and people came out of their homes.
According to the regional disaster relief headquarters, the earthquake was felt in Dingri County of Shigaze city of Tibet Autonomous Region at 9:05 am (China time) on Tuesday. The US Geological Survey has reported the earthquake’s intensity as 7.1.
According to the news of China’s official news agency ‘Xinhua’, as of 3 pm on Tuesday (local time), 95 people have been confirmed dead and 130 others have been injured due to the earthquake.
Chinese President Xi Jinping ordered to make every possible effort to carry out relief and rescue operations in the affected areas.
Xi ordered every possible effort to treat the injured and urged efforts to prevent secondary disasters (disasters that may occur after an earthquake), properly rehabilitate affected residents, and effectively carry out follow-up operations.
Following the earthquake, the China Earthquake Administration initiated a level-two emergency service response and dispatched a work team to the site to assist in disaster relief efforts.
Central authorities have sent about 22,000 disaster relief items to the quake-hit area, including tents, coats, quilts and folding bedding, as well as special relief items for high-altitude and cold areas.
More than 1,500 local firefighters and rescue workers have also been sent to the scene.
Shigaje is also known as Shigaste which is close to the Indian border. Shigatse is considered one of the most sacred cities in Tibet. It is the traditional seat of the Panchen Lama, a prominent figure in Tibetan Buddhism. In Tibet, the Panchen Lama is the second most revered spiritual leader after the Dalai Lama.
The epicenter of the earthquake was located in Tsogo town of Dingri County, where about 6,900 people live within a radius of 20 kilometers. There are 27 villages in this area.
Official figures show that Dingri County has a population of more than 61,000.
The state news agency ‘Xinhua’, quoting China’s Earthquake Network Center, reported that the epicenter was 90 kilometers north-east of Lobutse in the Khumbu Himalayan range of north-eastern Nepal. The earthquake occurred at a depth of 10 kilometers.
In his message, Xi said strengthening earthquake monitoring and disaster early warning, immediately arranging for emergency rescue supplies, accelerating the repair of damaged infrastructure, ensuring that residents’ basic needs are met and providing relief to all. Measures for protection from heat and cold (bonfire, heater etc.) are necessary. China calls Tibet Shijang, which is part of the Himalayan region.
The Tibetan Plateau is considered a powerful earthquake prone area, as it is located where the tectonic Eurasian and Indian plates meet and often collide with extreme force.
Shigaste was also badly damaged in the powerful earthquake of 8.1 magnitude that occurred in Nepal in 2015. In 2015, a massive 8.1 magnitude earthquake struck Nepal and the Himalayan region, killing 18 people and injuring 55 in the Shigaste region.
Meanwhile, due to the powerful earthquake in Nepal, people came out of their homes. The impact of the earthquake was also felt in Kabrepalanchok, Sindhupalchok, Dhading and Solukhumbu districts.
Frightened by the earthquake in Kathmandu, people came out of their homes. For some time, people saw the trees and electric wires along the roads shaking.
Nepal Police spokesperson said that so far they have not received any information about any major damage or human loss due to the earthquake.
An official of the Shankhuwasabha District Administrative Office said a two-storey stone building was damaged in the Kimathanka Rural Municipality of the district due to the earthquake.
Nepal Police spokesperson Bishwa Adhikari said that due to the epicenter of the earthquake being in Tibet, people living in northern Nepal felt more intense tremors.
According to the US Geological Survey (USGS) report, earthquakes of four to five magnitudes were recorded at least six times within an hour around 7 am.
The earthquake was so powerful that the people of Nepal got scared. It brought back tragic memories of the massive earthquake that struck in 2015, killing 9,000 people.
