95 Casualties Reported in 6.8 Magnitude Earthquake in Tibet

BEIJING — A powerful 6.8 magnitude earthquake struck Tibet’s second-largest city on Tuesday morning, according to reports. The earthquake was centered around Shigatse city, occurring at 9:05 AM local time (01:05 GMT).

The epicenter was located at a depth of 10 kilometers (6.2 miles), with tremors felt as far away as Kathmandu, Nepal, located approximately 400 km (250 miles) from Shigatse. Residents in Kathmandu reported significant shaking, prompting many to evacuate their homes.

According to state media, the earthquake has resulted in at least 95 fatalities and over 130 injuries.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has ordered comprehensive rescue operations, with local authorities mobilizing more than 1,500 personnel for search and rescue efforts, as reported by local news outlets.

A 6.8 magnitude earthquake is classified as strong and carries the potential for severe destruction.

The United States Geological Survey assesses the quake’s strength at 7.0, noting that it struck roughly 90 kilometers northeast of Lobuche, Nepal. As of now, reports from Nepal indicate no recorded fatalities or injuries.

The southwestern regions of China are prone to seismic activity, with a significant earthquake in Sichuan province in 2008 resulting in nearly 70,000 fatalities.

In the past five years, there have been 29 earthquakes of magnitude 3.0 or higher within 200 km of Shigatse, all of lesser strength than Tuesday’s event.

A previous major earthquake in 2015, measuring 7.8 in magnitude, struck near Kathmandu, resulting in around 9,000 deaths and extensive injuries, marking it as one of the worst earthquakes in Nepal’s history.

China has governed Tibet since the 1950s, a region that faces significant social, security, and religious controls. The Chinese government asserts that it is combating terrorism and separatism while also facilitating economic development.