SHIGATSE, Tibet – Rescue teams are racing against time to find survivors after a powerful earthquake struck a remote region of Tibet on Tuesday, January 7, 2025, killing at least 126 people and injuring 188.
The magnitude 7.1 quake damaged more than 1,000 buildings, disrupted essential services, and left residents bracing for sub-zero temperatures.
The earthquake hit the foothills of the Himalayas at 09:00 local time (01:00 GMT) with a shallow depth of 10 kilometres, according to the US Geological Survey.
Tremors were felt as far away as Nepal and parts of India.
Nepal: An earthquake with a magnitude of 7.1 on the Richter scale struck 93 km northeast of Lobuche, at 06:35:16 IST today. Strong tremors were felt across Kathmandu and other western districts pic.twitter.com/ysEiNulN7L
— IANS (@ians_india) January 7, 2025
Extensive Damage and Rescue Efforts
Chinese state broadcaster CCTV aired footage showing destroyed homes and collapsed buildings in Shigatse, Tibet’s second-largest city, where rescue workers were seen sifting through debris and distributing thick blankets to residents.
In Tingri county, near the epicentre, temperatures dropped to -8°C (17.6°F) before nightfall, adding urgency to the search and rescue efforts.
“Here the houses are made from dirt so when the earthquake came… lots of houses collapsed,” said Sangji Dangzhi, a local supermarket owner whose property was damaged. Ambulances transported the injured to hospitals throughout the day, he told AFP.
A hotel resident in Shigatse described the chaotic moments when the quake struck. “It felt like even the bed was being lifted,” he told Fengmian News, adding that helicopters circled overhead as residents gathered outdoors.
Both power and water supplies in the region have been disrupted, and more than 40 aftershocks were recorded within hours of the initial quake, compounding fears of further collapses.
China’s Response
Chinese President Xi Jinping called for an “all-out” rescue effort to minimise casualties and ensure the safety of affected residents. The Chinese air force has deployed personnel and drones to assist with search and rescue operations in the hard-to-reach mountainous terrain.
Jiang Haikun, a researcher at the China Earthquake Networks Center, noted that while additional tremors of around magnitude 5 may occur, the likelihood of a larger earthquake remains low.
Impact Beyond Tibet
In Nepal, tremors caused minor damage and cracks in some buildings, according to an official from the National Emergency Operations Centre.
The quake evoked memories of the devastating 2015 earthquake near Kathmandu that killed nearly 9,000 people and injured over 20,000.
“Today the situation was not scary like that. But, I am scared that another major earthquake may hit us,” said Manju Neupane, a shop owner in Kathmandu.
Cultural and Political Reverberations
Tingri county, a popular base for climbers preparing to scale Mount Everest, saw its tourism operations halted.
Sightseeing tours scheduled for Tuesday were cancelled, and the area was closed to visitors.
The quake has also drawn attention to the spiritual and political dynamics of the region. Shigatse, home to 800,000 people, is the traditional seat of the Panchen Lama, a key Tibetan Buddhist figure.
The Dalai Lama, who fled Tibet after China’s annexation in 1959, expressed his condolences.
“I offer my prayers for those who have lost their lives and extend my wishes for a swift recovery to all who have been injured,” he said in a statement.
China’s control over Tibet remains a contentious issue, with media and internet access tightly regulated.
The current Panchen Lama, chosen by Beijing, has been a source of controversy, as Tibetan Gedhun Choekyi Nyima—recognised by the Dalai Lama as the Panchen Lama—has been missing since 1995.
A Region Prone to Disasters
Tibet’s location along the fault line between the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates makes it one of the most seismically active regions in the world.
Earthquakes are a constant threat, with the last major quake in the region in 2015 devastating large parts of Nepal and Tibet.
As rescue efforts continue, authorities face the dual challenges of searching for survivors and preparing for the harsh winter conditions that loom over the region.
