Tremors felt in India as powerful 7.1 magnitude earthquake strikes Tibet, killing 53
A powerful 7.1 earthquake struck Tibet along the Nepal border, killing at least 53 and injuring 68. The Xigaze region suffered severe destruction from the temblor; the quake is felt in parts of India also, including Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Delhi-NCR. Rescue work is on.
Deadly 7.1 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Tibet, Tremors Felt Across India
A powerful earthquake of 7.1 on the Richter scale jolted the western Tibetan region near the Nepal border Tuesday morning, leaving at least 53 people dead and 68 injured. "There was total destruction of buildings and infrastructure," state-run Chinese media reported.
The epicenter of the earthquake was located in Tibet's Xigaze region at a depth of 10 kilometers (6 miles), according to the US Geological Survey (USGS). Meanwhile, China's earthquake monitoring agency reported that the quake measured 6.8 on the Richter scale. The affected area has an average altitude of 4,200 meters (13,800 feet).
nullNotable quake, preliminary info: M 7.1 - 93 km NE of Lobuche, Nepal https://t.co/QsViMSdtoE
— USGS Earthquakes (@USGS_Quakes) January 7, 2025
Rescue Operations Underway
Rescue teams have been sent to the disaster-stricken area to search for survivors trapped under debris. Emergency operations are being conducted in the remote mountainous areas, which are a logistical nightmare because of their altitude and rugged terrain.
Tremors Felt in India and Nepal
#BREAKING: A magnitude 7.2 #earthquake just hit China, Taiwan, Nepal, and India 🚨 pic.twitter.com/l1lDcvpGM5
— Ezee (@EzeemmaCraic) January 7, 2025
Nepal and parts of India like Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Assam, and the Delhi-NCR region were strongly hit by the quake's tremors. People of Bihar rushed out of their houses in the wee hours of morning once the ground was seen shaking. Even though people were panicked at large, property damage has yet not been reported in India.
Wow! Here's another look at the now Upgraded M7.1 #Earthquake from a Khumjung, #Nepal Live Cam moments ago. 🥴 #NepalEarthquake pic.twitter.com/qtVklIJa8e
— LiveCamChaser (@LiveCamChaser) January 7, 2025
The epicenter, according to USGS, was located 93 kilometers northeast of Lobuche in Nepal, near the Tibet border. Nepal, being in a seismically active zone due to the collision of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates, frequently experiences earthquakes.
Geopolitical Context
Geologically active zones like the Himalayas are still under the threat of frequent seismic activity. This fresh earthquake is another reminder of how vulnerable the region is to such natural disasters, and preparedness is the best way to control the devastating effects.
Tibet remains in the clutches of rescue and recovery missions as authorities here are racing against time to save lives and provide relief in the affected areas.
