Deadly Earthquakes Devastate Tibet, Death Toll Climbs to 126
A devastating series of earthquakes has struck Tibet, with the death toll from a massive 7.1 magnitude quake rising to 126. This was followed by another tremor of magnitude 4 on the Richter scale on Wednesday morning, further rattling the region. The latest quake, occurring at 6:58 am (IST) in Xizang (Shigatse), was felt across neighboring Nepal, where tremors registered at 4.2 magnitude.
The initial earthquake, which struck on Tuesday near the holy city of Shigatse, left 188 injured and caused extensive destruction in Dingri County. The epicenter, located in Tsogo Township at a depth of 10 kilometers, sent shockwaves through Nepal and parts of India, forcing residents to flee their homes.
Shigatse, situated close to the Nepal-India-Tibet tri-junction near Sikkim, holds religious and cultural significance as the seat of the Panchen Lama, the second-highest Buddhist figure after the Dalai Lama.
Seismic Activity on the Tibetan Plateau
The Tibetan Plateau, situated at the collision point of the Eurasian and Indian tectonic plates, is one of the most seismically active regions in the world. Experts attribute the frequent and intense earthquakes to these tectonic interactions.
China’s Earthquake Networks Centre (CENC) reported the earthquake’s magnitude at 6.8, while the US Geological Service (USGS) measured it at 7.1. Despite the destruction, inspections revealed no damage to dams or reservoirs in the area, according to China’s Ministry of Water Resources.
Emergency Response and Challenges
China has declared a level-II emergency response in the region. Chinese President Xi Jinping ordered comprehensive rescue efforts, emphasizing the prevention of secondary disasters and efficient resettlement of affected residents. Tourist sites near Mount Everest on the Chinese side were closed, although no casualties were reported among tourists or staff.
As the region grapples with the aftermath, the earthquakes have underscored the vulnerability of the Tibetan Plateau to natural disasters and the challenges of managing relief in this geopolitically and geologically sensitive area.
