On January 7, a powerful 7.1-magnitude earthquake struck near one of Tibet’s holiest cities, Dingri County, in the Tibet Autonomous Region, China. The earthquake, which occurred at 9:05 am local time, has claimed at least 95 lives and injured more than 130 people. The tremors were also felt across the border in Nepal, forcing many to rush into the streets in panic.
The earthquake’s epicenter was located in Tsogo Township of Dingri County, about 90 km northeast of Lobutse in the Khumbu Himalayan range, close to the border with Nepal. The quake struck at a depth of 10 km, causing widespread destruction in the affected region. Dingri, with a population of approximately 61,000 people, is home to the base camp of Mount Everest (Qomolangma), and is one of Tibet’s most revered cities, considered the traditional seat of the Panchen Lama.
In response to the disaster, the Chinese government has activated a level-II emergency service response, dispatching more than 22,000 relief items, including tents, quilts, and warm clothing suitable for high-altitude areas. Over 1,500 firefighters and rescue workers have been deployed to the affected areas, and efforts are underway to provide urgent assistance to those in need.
The government has also sent a team of experts to assist in the relief operations, and President Xi Jinping has called for all-out efforts to treat the injured, prevent secondary disasters, and ensure the proper resettlement of affected residents. The Chinese authorities are working to restore damaged infrastructure and ensure the basic needs of the affected population are met, particularly as winter conditions make survival difficult.
In Nepal, the earthquake caused panic in several districts, including Kavrepalanchwok, Sindhupalanchok, Dhading, and Solukhumbu. While no casualties have been reported from Nepal so far, significant damage was reported, including a two-storey stone building in Kimathanka Rural Municipality, Shankhuwasabha District. The tremors, which were felt strongly in northern Nepal, reminded many residents of the devastating 2015 earthquake that killed nearly 9,000 people.
The region, situated on the tectonic boundary between the Eurasian and Indian plates, is prone to seismic activity. This latest earthquake is a grim reminder of the ongoing vulnerability of the Himalayan region to powerful quakes.
Rescue and relief efforts continue as authorities in both Tibet and Nepal work to assist the victims and mitigate further damage.