At least 53 people lost their lives and another 62 were injured due to a powerful earthquake that struck primarily the Dingri County, in the Tibet region of southwestern China, where the Chinese section of the Himalayas is located, according to the official Chinese news agency Xinhua, citing an updated report from authorities by midday (local time).
The earthquake occurred at approximately 09:05 (local time; 03:05 Cyprus time), according to the China Earthquake Networks Centre (CENC), which estimated its magnitude to be 6.8.
The United States Geological Survey (USGS), on its part, reported the earthquake’s magnitude as 7.1. The tremor was felt as far as Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal, located roughly 400 kilometres away in a straight line.
“Strong tremors were particularly felt in Dingri County and its surrounding areas, and many buildings collapsed near the epicentre,” the public broadcaster CCTV stated earlier.
Dozens of aftershocks have already been recorded; the strongest was of a magnitude of 4.4.
The official news agency Xinhua reported that local authorities rushed to various communities to “assess” the aftermath of the earthquake.
The specific Tibetan county, located at high altitude, has approximately 62,000 residents.
While seismic activity is generally frequent in the mountainous region, today’s earthquake is the most powerful recorded within a 200-kilometre radius over the past five years, according to the CENC.
西藏日喀则定日县7日9时5分发生6.8级地震。据央视报道，目前已有9人遇难。A 6.8-magnitude earthquake struck Dingri County in Shigatse, Tibet at 9:05 on the 7th. According to CCTV, nine people have been reported dead so far. #Tibet #Earthquakes pic.twitter.com/7lyL4OcWj3
— TMTPOST 钛媒体 (@TMTPostGlobal) January 7, 2025
The USGS also mentioned the earthquake’s magnitude as 7.1. The tremor was felt as far as Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal, roughly 400 kilometres away in a straight line.
“Strong tremors were particularly felt in Dingri County and its surrounding areas, and many buildings collapsed near the epicentre,” the public broadcaster CCTV stated.
Dozens of aftershocks have already been recorded; the strongest was of a magnitude of 4.4.
#BREAKING: At least 9 people were killed from 7.1 magnitude earthquake in Shigatse City in Tibet, China. pic.twitter.com/4NtBfEHCZh
— Insider Wire (@InsiderWire) January 7, 2025
The official news agency Xinhua reported that local authorities rushed to various communities to “assess” the aftermath of the earthquake.
This specific Tibetan county, located at high altitude, has around 62,000 residents and is not far from the Chinese section of Mount Everest.
While seismic activity is generally frequent in the mountainous region, today’s earthquake is the most powerful recorded within a 200-kilometre radius over the past five years, according to the CENC.
A 6.9 magnitude earthquake hit the city of Shigatse in Tibet, China.
— Winda Valkyrie (@Narasiwinda) January 7, 2025
9 killed in the earthquake in Tibet's Shigatse city
The quake struck the mountainous region at 1:05am GMT Tuesday, and the effects were reportedly felt across parts of India, Bhutan, China, Nepal and Bangladesh pic.twitter.com/j6tekltzIL
Also read: Official announcement on earthquake – Which areas were affected
Photo source: outlookindia.com
