Scores dead as magnitude 7.1 tremor hits Tibet

Chinese state media reported that at least 53 people were killed and 62 others were injured after a strong earthquake struck China’s mountainous Tibet region on Tuesday morning.

The earthquake that struck the holy city of Shigatse in Tibet around 09:00 local time (01:00 GMT) reached a magnitude of 7.1 and a depth of 10 kilometers (six miles), according to data from the US Geological Survey, which also showed a series of earthquakes. From aftershocks in the region.

The earthquake was also felt in neighboring Nepal and parts of India.

Earthquakes are common in the area, which lies on a major geological fault line.

Shigatse is considered one of the holiest cities in Tibet. It is the traditional seat of the Panchen Lama, a major figure in Tibetan Buddhism, whose spiritual authority is second only to the Dalai Lama.

Tingri County, close to the epicenter, is a popular base for climbers preparing to ascend Mount Everest.

Mount Everest trekking in Tengri, which was scheduled for Tuesday morning, has been cancelled, a tourism employee told local media, adding that the sightseeing area has been completely closed.

They added that there were three visitors in the tourist area and they were all moved to an outside area for safety.

Chinese state media reported that the quake’s magnitude was just under 6.8, causing “obvious” tremors and an earthquake. Which led to the destruction of more than 1,000 homes. There were several strong aftershocks.

Jiang Haikun, a researcher at the China Earthquake Networks Center, told CCTV, China’s national broadcaster, that although another earthquake with a magnitude of about 5 is likely, “the probability of a larger earthquake is low.”

Since China annexed Tibet in the 1950s, it has imposed tight control over the autonomous region, including media and Internet access.

Social media posts from the quake-affected area on Tuesday showed collapsed buildings.

A resident of a hotel in Shigaze told Chinese media outlet Fengmian News that he was awakened by a wave of shaking. He said he grabbed his socks and ran out into the street, where he saw helicopters flying above him.

“It felt like the bed had been lifted,” he said, adding that he knew immediately it was an earthquake because Tibet had recently experienced several smaller earthquakes.

The Chinese Air Force launched rescue efforts and drones to the affected area, which is located at the foot of Mount Everest and where temperatures are well below freezing.

Electricity and water were cut off in the area.

Chinese President Xi Jinping also called for comprehensive search and rescue efforts to reduce losses and resettle affected residents.

A local official in Namchi district in Nepal, near Mount Everest, said that while the tremors were felt in Nepal, no damage or casualties were reported.

The area it is located near The major fault line of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates is home to frequent seismic activity. In 2015, a 7.8-magnitude earthquake near Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal, killed nearly 9,000 people and injured more than 20,000 others.