A powerful earthquake with a magnitude of 6.8 struck Tibet, China, on Tuesday, causing widespread damage. The epicenter was in Tingri, near Mount Everest, around 80 kilometers (50 miles) north of the world’s tallest mountain. The tremor was so strong that it also affected neighboring countries like Nepal, Bhutan, and India.
Rescue Efforts and Survivors
Over 400 people who were trapped in buildings after the earthquake have been rescued by Chinese officials. However, the search for survivors continues, as over 30,000 people have been relocated to safer areas. By Wednesday, rescuers had been working for more than a day to save as many people as possible.
Unfortunately, the people trapped under rubble faced extremely cold temperatures, dropping as low as minus 18 degrees Celsius (0°F). This meant that survivors had to endure freezing conditions, putting them at risk of hypothermia and dehydration.
Damage and Loss
The earthquake destroyed more than 3,600 homes in the Shigatse region of Tibet, which is home to around 800,000 people. According to Chinese officials, at least 126 people have been confirmed dead, and another 188 have been injured on the Tibetan side. Thankfully, no deaths have been reported in Nepal or other countries affected by the tremor.
The destruction is severe, with many people now homeless in freezing conditions. But by Tuesday evening, help had arrived. Tents, food, and medical supplies, along with generators, were sent to those in need. Roads that had been damaged by the quake were also repaired, allowing supplies to reach the hardest-hit areas.
Why Do Earthquakes Happen Here?
The region where this earthquake occurred is part of the Qinghai-Tibetan plateau, a large area formed by the collision of two massive tectonic plates—the Indian plate and the Eurasian plate. This collision causes earthquakes to happen often, especially around the edges of the plateau.
This was not the first time Tibet and its neighbors have faced a big earthquake. In fact, the region experiences many earthquakes because of the tectonic activity in the area. Over the last five years, 29 earthquakes with magnitudes of 3 or higher have occurred within 200 kilometers of where Tuesday’s quake struck.
Aftershocks and More Danger
Since the big earthquake, there have been more than 500 aftershocks, with some reaching magnitudes of 4.4. These aftershocks add to the danger for those who are still trapped or trying to rebuild. The region is known for having a lot of earthquakes because of the shifting tectonic plates.
Looking Back at Other Earthquakes
This earthquake in Tibet is one of the strongest to hit the region in recent years, but it’s not the worst one to ever happen. In 2008, a huge earthquake in Sichuan, China, killed more than 70,000 people. The earthquake that struck Tibet on Tuesday was the strongest since another earthquake in 2023, which killed at least 149 people.
Rescue efforts are ongoing, and officials are working hard to provide help to the people who are suffering from the earthquake’s effects. As more aftershocks continue, everyone is hoping for the best as the search for survivors continues.
