A powerful earthquake of magnitude 7.1 struck Tibet near the Nepalese border early Tuesday morning, leaving 95 people dead, according to Chinese media Xinhua. The tremors, originating from Tingri county in Shigatse city, were felt across parts of India, including Bihar, Assam, and West Bengal.
The quake’s epicenter was located in Tingri, approximately 400 km southwest of Lhasa, the capital of Tibet. Tingri is a popular tourism hub for visitors to Mount Everest.
The National Centre for Seismology (NCS) reported that the earthquake occurred at 6:35 am. Two aftershocks were recorded soon after:
A 4.7-magnitude quake at 7:02 am at a depth of 10 km or 4.9-magnitude quake at 7:07 am at a depth of 30 km.
Both aftershocks were centered in Xizang, Tibet, according to NCS updates shared on social media.
Tremors were strongly felt in Bihar, where residents evacuated their homes and gathered in open spaces. However, no immediate reports of property damage or casualties have emerged from India.
The Himalayan region, including Nepal and Tibet, lies at the collision point of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates, making it highly prone to seismic activity.
In 2015, a devastating 7.8-magnitude earthquake in Nepal resulted in nearly 9,000 deaths, over 22,000 injuries, and the destruction of more than half a million homes.
This latest quake highlights the ongoing seismic risks in the region.
The Indian government has urged vigilance in earthquake-prone areas. The NCS recommended the use of the BhooKamp app for real-time earthquake updates and safety information. As emergency teams work to assess the full impact in Tibet, the disaster serves as a stark reminder of the need for preparedness in geologically active regions.
