Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi: A magnitude 6.8 earthquake struck Tibet’s northern foothills on Tuesday morning, resulting in at least 32 fatalities and widespread structural damage. Tremors from the quake, which had its epicentre in Tingri County, were felt in Nepal, Bhutan, and India, including parts of Delhi-NCR and Bihar.
The earthquake occurred at 9:05 a.m. (0105 GMT), with a depth of 10 km, according to the China Earthquake Networks Centre (CENC). Tingri County, known as the northern gateway to the Everest region, faced severe devastation.
Key Updates on the Earthquake
• The earthquake registered a magnitude of 7.1 near the Nepal-Tibet border, as per the United States Geological Survey (USGS).
• Tremors were felt across Delhi-NCR and several North Indian states.
• The epicentre was situated 93 km northeast of Lobuche, near the border where the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates collide, leading to frequent seismic activity.
• China confirmed that 32 people lost their lives, with national broadcaster CCTV reporting nine deaths on the Tibetan side.
• Communities within 5 km of the epicentre experienced significant destruction, with buildings collapsing and residents displaced.
• The quake was the most powerful recorded in the region within a 200-km radius in the past five years.
• Historical context highlights the area’s vulnerability, recalling the devastating 2015 Nepal earthquake that claimed nearly 9,000 lives and left over 22,000 injured.
Impact and Response
Authorities in Tibet and neighbouring countries have initiated rescue and relief operations. Teams are working to assess the full extent of the damage and provide aid to affected communities.
