Earthquake in Tibet: A magnitude 6.8 earthquake struck near one of Tibet’s holiest cities on Tuesday, killing at least 126 people and injuring 188 others. According to reports, more than 100 small and big earthquakes were felt in just 9 hours. Along with Tibet, earthquake tremors were also felt in neighboring country Nepal, due to which buildings started shaking and people came out of their homes.
The China Earthquake Network Center (CENC) said the quake had a magnitude of 6.8, while the US Geological Service (USGS) put it at 7.1. According to the regional disaster relief headquarters, the earthquake struck Dingri County in Xigaze, China’s Tibet Autonomous Region, at 9:05 a.m. Tuesday (Beijing time). Its center was in Sogo town, Dingri County, Shigaze city.
Shigaje is 90 km from Lobutse in the Khumbu Himalayan range in north-eastern Nepal. Located in the north-east, it is the last border town of Tibet, not far from the Nepal-Tibet-India tri-junction. This area meets Sikkim.
Shigaje is also known as Shigaste which is close to the border of India. Shigasate is considered one of the most sacred cities of Tibet. It is the traditional seat of the Panchen Lama, a prominent figure in Tibetan Buddhism. In Tibet, the Panchen Lama holds the second position after the spiritual leader Dalai Lama.
CENC said that the earthquake occurred at a depth of 10 kilometers. Earthquake tremors were also felt in Nepal where buildings were damaged. However, there was no loss of life there.
Earthquake tremors were felt at many places in Bihar too, but there was no loss of life or property. Footage broadcast on state Chinese television showed people, including children, being pulled out of the debris and loaded on stretchers to medical camps.
The epicenter of the earthquake was 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.
Dingri County is located on the northern slopes of the Himalayas in southern Tibet. It is the northern base camp of Mount Everest, called Mount Qomolangma in Tibet, the highest peak in the world.
At a press conference after the earthquake, officials said that more than 3,400 rescue workers and 340 medical workers have been sent to the earthquake-hit area.
Government news agency ‘Xinhua’ quoted officials as saying that by midnight Beijing time, 126 people had been confirmed dead and 188 people were injured. Officials said that the number of deaths is likely to increase as the rescue work intensifies.
China has announced the closure of tourist places located near its territory of Mount Everest, while it has been said that the tourists and employees present in many resorts located in the area are safe.
Chinese President Xi Jinping ordered to make every possible effort for relief and rescue operations in the affected areas.
Xi ordered every possible effort to treat the injured and urged efforts to effectively prevent secondary disasters (potential disasters after an earthquake), properly rehabilitate affected residents, and carry out follow-up operations.
Dharamshala-based Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives in the devastating earthquake. “I pray for those who have lost their lives and wish for the speedy recovery of those who have been injured,” he said in a message.
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 Bishwa Adhikari said that due to the epicenter of the earthquake being in Tibet, people living in northern Nepal felt more intense tremors. Nepal Police spokesperson said that till now they have not received any information about any loss of life due to the earthquake.
According to the report of the US Geological Survey (USGS), at least six earthquakes of four to five magnitudes were recorded within an hour around 7 am (Nepal time).
China said on Tuesday that the 6.8-magnitude earthquake that struck near one of Tibet’s holiest cities had caused no damage to any dams or reservoirs in the country.
The Water Resources Ministry’s statement came at a time when the earthquake has highlighted concerns raised by experts about China’s plan to build the world’s largest dam on the Brahmaputra river in Tibet, near the Indian border.
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.
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