A powerful earthquake struck Tibet early Tuesday morning, with its epicenter located approximately 80 kilometers north of Mount Everest. Preliminary reports from the United States Geological Survey (USGS) indicate that the quake registered a magnitude of 6.8 on the Richter scale, causing tremors to be felt in neighboring regions, including parts of Nepal and India.
The earthquake occurred at a depth of 10 kilometers, categorizing it as a shallow quake with the potential for significant surface-level impact. Authorities in Tibet have reported damage to infrastructure, including cracked roads, collapsed buildings, and disrupted communication lines. Initial reports confirm at least 95 fatalities and dozens of injuries as rescue and relief operations continue.
Eyewitness accounts describe scenes of panic as residents rushed out of their homes to open areas for safety. “It was like the ground was shaking violently beneath us. We have never experienced something like this,” said Tenzing Dorje, a local resident of Tingri, a town near the epicenter.
The Tibetan Autonomous Region government has mobilized emergency response teams to assess the damage and assist those affected. Mountaineering groups stationed near Everest Base Camp have also reported feeling the tremors but have confirmed that climbers and staff are safe.
Neighboring Nepal has offered support, with its Prime Minister expressing solidarity with those affected. India’s National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has also been placed on high alert in case assistance is required.
Geologists warn of potential aftershocks in the region, urging residents to remain cautious. Tibet’s seismically active nature, due to its location on the collision boundary of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates, makes such events a recurring threat.
As rescue operations continue, international aid organizations have also offered assistance to ensure timely relief for the impacted communities.