A significant earthquake in Tibet has resulted in a minimum of 53 fatalities and has also affected neighboring Nepal.

Magnitude 6.8 Earthquake Strikes Himalayas, Leaving 53 Dead

A powerful earthquake with a magnitude of 6.8 struck the northern foothills of the Himalayas near Tibet’s sacred city on Tuesday, killing at least 53 people, according to Chinese authorities. The tremors were felt in neighboring Nepal, Bhutan, and India, shaking buildings and causing panic.

The quake occurred at 9:05 a.m. local time (0105 GMT) with its epicenter in Tingri, a remote county in China near the Everest region, at a depth of 10 km (6.2 miles), as reported by the China Earthquake Networks Centre. The U.S. Geological Survey estimated the magnitude at 7.1.

Impact in Tibet

China’s state-run Xinhua News Agency confirmed 53 fatalities and 62 injuries in Tibet. The quake’s effects were felt across the Shigatse region, home to 800,000 residents and the traditional seat of the Panchen Lama, an important Tibetan Buddhist figure.

Villages in Tingri, located at elevations of 4,000-5,000 meters (13,000-16,000 feet), experienced strong tremors followed by aftershocks of up to 4.4 magnitude. Over 1,000 houses were damaged in the area, which has a population of approximately 6,900 within 20 km (12 miles) of the epicenter.

Chinese President Xi Jinping called for robust rescue efforts, proper resettlement of the affected population, and measures to ensure a safe and warm winter. More than 1,500 firefighters and rescue workers, along with supplies including tents, quilts, and folding beds, were dispatched to the region.

Tremors Across the Region

The quake’s epicenter was about 80 km (50 miles) north of Mount Everest. Winter is an off-season for climbers, and the only mountaineer permitted to climb Everest this season had already left the base camp.

In Nepal, tremors were felt in seven districts bordering Tibet. While no casualties were reported, local authorities mobilized security forces to assess the damage. Sparsely populated villages in remote areas, accessible only on foot, are being surveyed for potential impact.

In Kathmandu, about 400 km (250 miles) from the epicenter, residents fled their homes as buildings shook. One man was hospitalized after jumping off a rooftop in panic. The quake also jolted Bhutan’s capital, Thimphu, and the northern Indian state of Bihar, although no significant damage was reported in these regions.

Historical Context and Aftermath

Tuesday’s earthquake was caused by tectonic stress in the Lhasa block, an area prone to seismic activity. Since 1950, the region has experienced 21 quakes of magnitude 6 or higher.

In 2015, a devastating magnitude 7.8 earthquake near Nepal’s capital, Kathmandu, killed 9,000 people and triggered an avalanche on Mount Everest, claiming 18 lives at the base camp.

As rescue operations continue, the Chinese government has temporarily closed the Everest region to tourists, prioritizing safety and relief efforts. The region remains under vigilance as aftershocks and the threat of further tremors persist.