A magnitude 6.8 earthquake struck the northern foothills of the Himalayas on Tuesday morning, near Tibet’s sacred city of Tingri, resulting in at least 53 fatalities and significant damage across the region. The tremor, which occurred at 9:05 a.m. local time, sent shockwaves across Tibet, Nepal, Bhutan, and parts of northern India.
According to China’s Earthquake Networks Centre, the epicenter was located in Tingri, roughly 80 km north of Mount Everest. The quake had a depth of 10 km (6.2 miles), and while the China Earthquake Networks Centre reported a 6.8 magnitude, the U.S. Geological Survey assessed it at 7.1.
The earthquake caused widespread devastation, particularly in Tibet’s Shigatse region, home to 800,000 people. Chinese authorities reported that at least 53 individuals were killed, and 62 others injured on the Tibetan side. Rescue operations have mobilized over 1,500 local firefighters, with tens of thousands of emergency supplies, including tents and quilts, dispatched to aid the survivors. Despite the difficult terrain, where many villages can only be accessed by foot, efforts to assess the damage are ongoing.
In Nepal, the tremors were felt across seven districts along the Tibetan border, including areas near Mount Everest. Authorities there have yet to report any fatalities, although one person was injured in Kathmandu after jumping from a building during the shaking. The aftershocks continued throughout the day, with some reaching magnitudes of up to 4.4.
China has since closed the Everest region to tourists, as many buildings, including shops, were damaged. In Lhatse, debris was seen spilling onto roads in the aftermath. The quake follows a long history of seismic activity in the region, with previous tremors, such as the 2015 earthquake in Nepal, resulting in significant casualties.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has ordered an all-out rescue effort, urging that resources be mobilized to minimize further casualties and ensure the safety of affected residents during the winter months.
