Tibet earthquake kills nearly 100, damages over 1000 buildings

New Delhi, Jan 7: An earthquake measuring 7.1 on the Richter scale struck Tibet's Shigatse region near Mount Everest on Tuesday morning, killing at least 95 people and injuring 130, according to Chinese state media.

The quake, one of the deadliest in recent years, caused extensive damage to more than 1,000 buildings and left thousands of residents grappling with freezing temperatures and disrupted services.

The earthquake hit in the morning hours with a shallow depth of 10 kilometres according to the US Geological Survey. The epicenter was located near Tingri County, a popular base for Mount Everest climbers. The tremors were felt across the border in Nepal and parts of India, sending residents fleeing into the streets.

Videos broadcast by China’s state-run CCTV showed collapsed buildings and rescue teams navigating debris as they distributed blankets and provided medical care to survivors. Tingri county, where temperatures have plunged to -8°C faces an even colder night ahead, with forecasts predicting a drop to -18°C, media reported.

Local reports as quoted by BBC describe the chaos during the quake. “It felt like even the bed was being lifted,” a Shigatse hotel resident told Fengmian News, recounting how he rushed outside to find helicopters circling overhead. Another eyewitness said that scheduled sightseeing tours in Tingri were cancelled, and visitors in the area were moved to open spaces for safety.

The quake triggered over 40 aftershocks within hours, further complicating rescue efforts. Power and water supplies in the affected regions have also been disrupted.

The Chinese Air Force has deployed drones, helicopters and personnel to assist in search and rescue efforts. Chinese President Xi Jinping called for “all-out” operations to minimise casualties and ensure the safe relocation of affected residents as reported by the media.

Shigatse is home to 800,000 people, is a culturally significant region and is the traditional seat of the Panchen Lama, the second-highest spiritual figure in Tibetan Buddhism. The city has been under tight control since Tibet's annexation by China in the 1950s, with restricted access to media and the internet.

In Nepal, tremors caused panic, but no major damage or casualties have been reported so far. Officials in Kathmandu said the quake reminded many of the devastating 2015 earthquake that killed nearly 9000 people. Some states in India also felt the impact, though no significant damage was reported.

The Tibetan Plateau lies at the crossroad of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates that are highly vulnerable to earthquakes. The recent earthquake has once again reignited concerns about preparedness in the region in times of disaster. However, for now, the focus remains on saving lives and providing relief to those displaced by this devastating earthquake.