A devastating earthquake of magnitude 7.1 struck Tibet near the Nepalese border early this morning, leaving 32 people dead, Chinese media outlet Xinhua reported via AFP. The tremors were felt across several regions, including parts of India such as Bihar, Assam, and West Bengal, sending shockwaves of concern through affected areas.
The earthquake occurred at 6:35 am, according to the National Centre for Seismology (NCS), and was followed by two aftershocks. The first aftershock, measuring 4.7 in magnitude, was recorded at 7:02 am at a depth of 10 km. The second, a 4.9-magnitude tremor, struck at 7:07 am at a depth of 30 km.
In Bihar, residents were seen rushing out of their homes and apartments as the tremors shook the region. While no damage to property has been reported in India, the situation remains tense as aftershocks continue to ripple through the area.
Tibet and its surrounding regions are part of a highly active seismic zone, where the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates collide, giving rise to the Himalayan mountain range. This geological activity makes the area particularly prone to earthquakes.
Today’s quake serves as a stark reminder of the catastrophic 2015 Nepal earthquake, a 7.8-magnitude disaster that claimed nearly 9,000 lives and injured over 22,000 people, leaving a trail of destruction with more than half a million homes destroyed.
Emergency response teams in Tibet and neighboring regions are currently assessing the damage and coordinating relief efforts. With tremors felt across borders, authorities are urging vigilance and preparedness in case of further seismic activity.
