On January 7, 2025, a powerful earthquake struck the Tibet Autonomous Region in southwestern China, causing significant devastation. The quake, with a magnitude of 7.1 according to the U.S. Geological Survey, occurred at 9:05 a.m. local time near Tingri County in Shigatse, approximately 80 kilometers north of Mount Everest. The China Earthquake Networks Centre reported the quake’s depth at 10 kilometers.
The earthquake resulted in at least 126 fatalities and 188 injuries. Approximately 3,000 houses collapsed, leaving many residents trapped under rubble. Rescue teams have successfully freed over 400 individuals, but an unknown number remain unaccounted for. The tremors were felt in neighboring countries, including Nepal, Bhutan, and India, causing minor damages but no major casualties in those regions.
In response to the disaster, Chinese President Xi Jinping has ordered comprehensive search and rescue operations. More than 1,500 rescue personnel have been deployed, along with essential supplies such as tents and blankets to aid those affected. The Mount Everest Scenic Area has been temporarily closed to tourists as a precautionary measure.
The region’s high altitude and cold winter temperatures, with lows reaching -16 degrees Celsius, pose additional challenges to the rescue efforts. The area is known for its seismic activity due to the collision of the Eurasian and Indian tectonic plates, which frequently results in earthquakes.
