The earth shook on Tuesday, January 7, in the Himalayan region of Tibet, in southwest China, causing the collapse of several structures and the death of dozens of people. At least 126 died and 188 injured, according to the latest report. The previous report reported 95 deaths, during this 6.8 magnitude earthquake which shook the canton of Dingri at 9:05 a.m. local time (2:05 a.m. in Paris).
The American Geological Survey (USGS), for its part, reported a 7.1 magnitude earthquake in the region. It was felt as far away as Kathmandu, Nepal. “The tremors were very strongly felt in and around the canton of Dingri, and many buildings collapsed near the epicenter”reported Chinese public television CCTV, specifying that “multiple replicas” had been recorded, the largest being magnitude 4.4.
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Videos broadcast by CCTV show white-colored houses at high altitude, with gutted walls and collapsed roofs, with many stones littering the ground. Other images from public television show firefighters in helmets and orange outfits heading towards the scene of the disaster. The Xinhua news agency said local authorities were visiting the canton's various communes “in order to assess the repercussions of the earthquake”.
More than 3,400 rescuers deployed
According to the authorities, more than 3,400 rescuers and more than 340 caregivers have been deployed. This canton, located at high altitude, has around 62,000 inhabitants and is located not far from the Chinese side of Everest. Temperatures there are around −8°C during the day and can drop to −18°C during the night, according to China's National Meteorological Bureau.
Authorities have sent emergency aid, including cotton tents, quilts and other useful equipment to withstand the harsh weather conditions, Xinhua said.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for “do everything possible to carry out search and rescue operations as well as to treat the injured”according to CCTV. “Everything must be done to minimize human losses” et “rehouse those affected”he added.
“I am deeply saddened by the devastating earthquake that struck Dingri, Tibet, and surrounding areas this morning”wrote the Dalai Lama, exiled political and spiritual leader of the Tibetans, in a statement published by his services. “I offer my prayers to all those who lost their lives and wish a speedy recovery to all those who were injured. »
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Russian President Vladimir Putin sent a message to Xi Jinping, saying that Russia ” sharing[ait] pain » of the Chinese and presenting its “sincere condolences”.
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Frequent earthquakes
While earthquakes are common in the region, Tuesday's quake was the strongest recorded within a 200-kilometer radius in the past five years, according to the China Earthquake Network Center.
In Nepal, the earthquake, which was particularly felt in the capital, Kathmandu, struck the areas around Namche and Lobuche, very close to the Everest base camp. But no deaths have been reported so far, said Nepali Interior Ministry spokesperson Rishi Ram Tiwari.
The Himalayas lie on the fracture line of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates and experience regular seismic activity. In 2015, a 7.8 magnitude earthquake killed nearly 9,000 people and injured more than 22,000 in Nepal, destroying more than 500,000 homes.
An earthquake that occurred in December 2023 caused 117 deaths in the Chinese province of Gansu and 31 in the neighboring province of Qinghai (North-West). In 2014, more than 600 people were killed in Yunnan province (southwest). In 2008, another earthquake, of magnitude 7.9, left 87,000 people dead or missing in the province of Sichuan (South-West). The disaster created a national shock.
