An earthquake measuring 6.8 on the Richter scale struck the Himalayan region of Tibet, in southwest China, on Tuesday, January 7, a tragedy that caused the death of nearly a hundred people. . Several buildings collapsed. The earthquake was felt as far away as Kathmandu, Nepal.
According to China’s National Earthquake Agency (CENC), the 6.8-magnitude earthquake hit Tibet’s Dingri township, located near the China-Nepal border, at 9:05 a.m. 1:05 a.m. GMT.
Chinese TV channel CCTV released frightening videos showing buildings at altitude, whitewashed and damaged, with gutted walls and collapsed roofs. While stones littered the ground. The world also witnessed frightening images of vehicles crushed under brick rubble and panicked customers fleeing a convenience store; as the earthquake knocked products off the shelves.
Videos geolocated byAFP show debris scattered in front of restaurants on a street in Lhatse.
According to China’s national earthquake agency, the epicenter is located about 370 km southwest of the regional capital Lhasa.
Cotton tents, quilts and other useful equipment to withstand the climatic conditions were urgently sent.
Chinese President Xi Jinping called for everything to be done to minimize human losses and relocate those affected by this tragedy.
Located near the Chinese side of Everest, the canton of Dingri has around 62,000 inhabitants.
