Tibet earthquake claims at least 126 lives, leaving many trapped. World News.

 Tibet earthquake claims at least 126 lives, leaving many trapped.World News.

Powerful Earthquake Strikes Tibet, Killing 126 and Leaving Many Trapped

BEIJING (News Lens) — A powerful earthquake shook a high-altitude region of western China and parts of Nepal on Tuesday, leaving widespread destruction in its wake. The quake damaged hundreds of homes, filled streets with rubble, and claimed the lives of at least 126 people in Tibet. Many others remain trapped as dozens of aftershocks continue to rattle the remote area.

Rescue teams navigated piles of broken bricks, using ladders in heavily damaged villages to search for survivors. Videos released by China’s Ministry of Emergency Management captured workers carrying two individuals on stretchers over debris from collapsed buildings.

The official Xinhua News Agency reported that at least 188 people were injured in Tibet, while more than 1,000 homes were damaged in the sparsely populated region. State broadcaster CCTV shared footage showing streets littered with debris, crushed cars, and the extensive damage caused by the quake.

A powerful earthquake hits Tibet in northwest China.

The earthquake was strongly felt in northeastern Nepal, but the country’s National Emergency Operation Center reported no initial injuries or damage. The area near Mount Everest, located about 75 kilometers (50 miles) southwest of the epicenter, remained largely deserted during the harsh winter, as even some residents had relocated to avoid the cold.

Powerful Earthquake Shakes Tibet and Nepal, Triggering Massive Rescue Efforts

A strong earthquake jolted residents in Nepal’s capital, Kathmandu—located about 230 kilometers (140 miles) from the epicenter—waking them and sending people rushing into the streets.

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) recorded the earthquake as magnitude 7.1, with a shallow depth of about 10 kilometers (6 miles), while China’s Earthquake Networks Center measured it at magnitude 6.8. Shallow earthquakes tend to cause more damage due to their proximity to the surface.

The epicenter was located in Tibet’s Tingri County, an area where the India and Eurasia tectonic plates collide, producing seismic activity strong enough to alter the heights of some of the world’s tallest Himalayan peaks.

Tibet, an autonomous region of China, remains a politically sensitive area. While it is governed by China, many Tibetans remain loyal to the Dalai Lama, their exiled spiritual leader. Human rights organizations and Western governments have frequently criticized Beijing for alleged human rights abuses and crackdowns on dissent in Tibet, even as China has heavily invested in the region’s economic development.

The USGS reported that this region has experienced 10 earthquakes of at least magnitude 6 over the past century. Following Tuesday’s quake, around 150 aftershocks were recorded within nine hours. As a result, the Mount Everest scenic area on the Chinese side was temporarily closed.

Chinese President Xi Jinping ordered comprehensive rescue efforts to save lives, minimize casualties, and assist those displaced by the disaster. Over 3,000 rescuers were deployed, according to state broadcaster CCTV. Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing was sent to oversee operations, and the Chinese government allocated 100 million yuan ($13.6 million) for disaster relief efforts.

The affected region on the Chinese side includes approximately 6,900 residents across three townships and 27 villages within 20 kilometers (12.5 miles) of the epicenter, state media reported. The area, located at an average altitude of 4,200 meters (13,800 feet), poses additional challenges for relief efforts.

In Kathmandu, on the southwestern outskirts of the city, video footage showed water spilling into the streets from a pond near a small temple. "It is a big earthquake," a woman can be heard saying in the background. "People are all shaking."

see more .................

How many died in the Assam Tibet earthquake?

What caused the Assam Tibet earthquake?

How much damage did the Assam Tibet earthquake cost in 1950?

In which district of Arunachal Pradesh came the great 1950 earthquake equal to the force of 10,000 bombs?