A powerful earthquake struck a high-altitude region in western China and parts of Nepal on Tuesday, causing extensive damage and resulting in the deaths of at least 126 people in Tibet.
Hundreds of homes were damaged, streets were covered in rubble, and dozens of aftershocks shook the devastated area, leaving many trapped under debris.
Rescue workers in heavily impacted villages climbed over piles of rubble, using ladders in some instances to search for survivors. Videos released by China’s Ministry of Emergency Management showed two individuals being carried on stretchers through debris-strewn streets. The official Xinhua News Agency reported that at least 188 people were injured on the Chinese side of the border.
More than 1,000 homes in the barren and sparsely populated region were damaged, according to state broadcaster CCTV. Footage showed crushed vehicles and buildings reduced to rubble. In Nepal, tremors were strongly felt in the northeast, but the National Emergency Operation Center reported no immediate injuries or damage. The area near Mount Everest, approximately 75 kilometres from the epicentre, was largely deserted due to winter, as even residents tend to leave during the colder months.
Residents in Nepal’s capital, Kathmandu, located about 230 kilometres from the epicentre, were jolted awake and fled into the streets in panic.
The United States Geological Survey recorded the earthquake at a magnitude of 7.1, with a relatively shallow depth of about 10 kilometres, a factor that often increases the potential for damage. China’s Earthquake Networks Center measured the tremor at a magnitude of 6.8. The epicentre was located in Tingri County, Tibet, an area where the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates meet, causing frequent seismic activity and contributing to the dynamic geology of the Himalayan region.
Tibet, while officially part of China, remains a politically sensitive region, with many Tibetans expressing loyalty to the Dalai Lama, their spiritual leader in exile. International human rights organisations have frequently criticised China for its governance in Tibet, accusing it of suppressing dissent while pursuing significant economic development in the area.
The US Geological Survey noted that the region has experienced 10 earthquakes of at least magnitude 6 in the past century. The quake triggered approximately 150 aftershocks within nine hours, and authorities closed the Mount Everest scenic area on the Chinese side as a precaution.
Chinese President Xi Jinping called for urgent efforts to rescue survivors, reduce casualties, and provide shelter for those affected. More than 3,000 rescue workers were dispatched, and Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing was sent to oversee relief operations. The government allocated 100 million yuan (£11 million) for disaster response.
According to state media, the affected area within a 20-kilometre radius of the epicentre includes three townships and 27 villages, home to approximately 6,900 residents. The region’s average altitude of 4,200 metres adds to the challenges faced by rescue teams.