Deadly 7.1 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Tibet

A powerful earthquake with a magnitude of 6.8 struck Tibet near Shigatse on January 7, resulting in at least 95 fatalities and over 130 injuries. The tremor, which some reports recorded as a magnitude of 7.1, caused significant destruction in the region, damaging approximately 1,000 houses and prompting widespread rescue efforts. Tremors were felt in neighboring Nepal and parts of India, leading to panic among residents, though no major damage was reported outside Tibet. Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for all-out efforts to assist the affected, emphasizing the need for search and rescue operations and proper resettlement of residents. Over 22,000 disaster relief items, including tents and clothing, have been dispatched to the area as aftershocks continue to complicate recovery efforts. This event highlights the seismic vulnerability of the region, which is prone to significant earthquakes due to the collision of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates.