A devastating 7.1-magnitude earthquake struck Tibet’s remote Himalayan region on Tuesday morning, leaving at least 53 people dead and 62 injured, according to Chinese state media. The powerful tremor, felt in parts of Nepal and northern India, caused widespread damage and triggered aftershocks that rattled the region throughout the day.
Epicenter Near Mount Everest
The earthquake hit at 9:05 a.m. local time, with its epicenter in Tingri county, about 50 miles north of Mount Everest and close to the border with Nepal. Over 1,000 houses were damaged in Tingri, and 27 nearby villages—home to an estimated 6,900 people—suffered significant destruction, according to state news agency Xinhua.
In neighboring Nepal’s capital, Kathmandu, residents fled their homes as the tremors shook buildings and caused wires to sway dangerously. “It was very strong,” said Bishal Nath Upreti from the Nepal Centre for Disaster Management.
Scenes of Devastation
Videos on Chinese social media showed collapsed roofs, debris-strewn streets, and damaged vehicles in Lhatse county, about 53 miles from the epicenter. Surveillance footage from Shigatse, the nearest major city 111 miles away, captured panicked shoppers fleeing a supermarket as goods fell from shelves.
The region, known for its rugged terrain and sparse population, posed challenges for rescue efforts. Teams, including the Chinese air force, worked to locate survivors, with some officers digging through rubble with bare hands. Several villages reported communication outages, complicating coordination efforts.
Tourism Disrupted Near Everest
In Tingri, officials closed access to a popular scenic area near the Chinese base camp for Mount Everest. Although winter is not the primary climbing season, the area attracts tourists for its breathtaking views of the Himalayas.
In Nepal’s Solukhumbu district, near the Nepal base camp for Everest, the tremors revived memories of the 2015 earthquake that killed about 9,000 people. “Everything is shaking, and people are very scared,” said a local official.
Rescue Efforts Amid Political Sensitivity
Chinese leader Xi Jinping urged officials to prioritize rescue efforts, minimize casualties, and provide warmth and safety to affected residents during the harsh winter conditions. Videos shared by state media showed villagers wrapped in blankets and sipping hot water by the roadside as rescue teams worked tirelessly.
Tibet remains one of China’s most politically sensitive regions, with restricted access for foreign visitors. The earthquake adds to the challenges of a region already marked by its isolation and complex political dynamics.
As of Tuesday afternoon, 49 aftershocks had been recorded, and rescue operations were ongoing. The disaster highlights the vulnerabilities of the remote Himalayan region and the resilience of its people in the face of natural calamities.
