On January 7, 2025, a 6.8 magnitude earthquake struck the Himalayan region of Tibet, killing at least 95 people and injuring 130. The earthquake, followed by multiple aftershocks, caused the collapse of numerous buildings near the Sino-Nepalese border, and was felt as far away as neighboring Nepal.
The epicenter of the earthquake is located in the canton of Dingri, a sparsely populated region, but vulnerable due to its high altitude location. Videos broadcast by Chinese public television showed scenes of desolation, with homes crushed under debris and streets cluttered with stones. Freezing temperatures, which hover around -8°C during the day and could drop to -18°C at night, further complicate relief efforts.
The tremors felt as far away as Nepal
Besides China, aftershocks were also felt in Nepal, notably around the Namche region and Everest Base Camp, although the epicenter of the earthquake was located on the Chinese side of the border. Local authorities are working to assess the damage, while rescue teams have been sent to the disaster areas. This earthquake is the most powerful in this region in five yearsincreasing tension in a country already subject to regular seismic risks.
A region accustomed to tremors
The Himalayan region, located on the divide between the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates, experiences regular seismic activity. Tibet, already marked by numerous tremors, has been hit by several earthquakes in recent years. The 2015 earthquake, which struck Nepal, left nearly 9,000 dead and more than 22,000 injured.. A similar earthquake that occurred in December 2023 in Gansu province, northwest China, left 148 dead and thousands homeless.
Chinese and Nepalese authorities continue to monitor developments as relief efforts ramp up in a region struck by both human and geographic tragedy.
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