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Tibet earthquake: scores dead and hundreds of homes damaged | Tibet earthquake: scores dead and hundreds of homes damaged |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Quake damaged buildings in Shigatse and could be felt hundreds of kilometres away in Nepal and the Indian state of Bihar | Quake damaged buildings in Shigatse and could be felt hundreds of kilometres away in Nepal and the Indian state of Bihar |
A strong earthquake has struck near Shigatse, one of Tibet’s holiest cities, killing scores of people, damaging buildings, and sending people running to the streets in neighbouring Nepal and India. | A strong earthquake has struck near Shigatse, one of Tibet’s holiest cities, killing scores of people, damaging buildings, and sending people running to the streets in neighbouring Nepal and India. |
Chinese state media said at least 95 people had died, more than 130 had been injured, and about 1,000 houses were damaged in the quake, which hit at 9.05am on Tuesday. The US Geological Survey said the earthquake was centred in the Tibet region at a depth of about 10km (6 miles). It measured it the tremor at a magnitude 7.1, while China recorded it as 6.8. | Chinese state media said at least 95 people had died, more than 130 had been injured, and about 1,000 houses were damaged in the quake, which hit at 9.05am on Tuesday. The US Geological Survey said the earthquake was centred in the Tibet region at a depth of about 10km (6 miles). It measured it the tremor at a magnitude 7.1, while China recorded it as 6.8. |
The Chinese president Xi Jinping said all-out search and rescue efforts should be carried out to minimise casualties, properly resettle the affected people, and ensure a safe and warm winter. | The Chinese president Xi Jinping said all-out search and rescue efforts should be carried out to minimise casualties, properly resettle the affected people, and ensure a safe and warm winter. |
More than 1,500 local firefighters and rescue workers have been dispatched to the affected areas, Xinhua news agency reported. Some 22,000 items including cotton tents, cotton coats, quilts and folding beds have also been sent to the quake-hit region, it said. | More than 1,500 local firefighters and rescue workers have been dispatched to the affected areas, Xinhua news agency reported. Some 22,000 items including cotton tents, cotton coats, quilts and folding beds have also been sent to the quake-hit region, it said. |
State broadcaster CCTV said earlier: “Dingri county and its surrounding areas experienced very strong tremors, and many buildings near the epicentre have collapsed.” It said more than 40 aftershocks had been registered by midday, including 16 above magnitude 3.0. | State broadcaster CCTV said earlier: “Dingri county and its surrounding areas experienced very strong tremors, and many buildings near the epicentre have collapsed.” It said more than 40 aftershocks had been registered by midday, including 16 above magnitude 3.0. |
Dingri is a county home to about 60,000 people, according to 2020 figures. The average altitude in the area around the epicentre, which borders the Himalayas, is about 4,200 meters. Temperatures in Dingri are around -8C (18F) and will drop to -18C this evening, according to the China Meteorological Administration. | |
Crumbled shop fronts could be seen in a video showing the aftermath from the nearby town of Lhatse, with debris spilling out on to the road. | Crumbled shop fronts could be seen in a video showing the aftermath from the nearby town of Lhatse, with debris spilling out on to the road. |
Reuters was able to confirm the location from nearby buildings, windows, road layout, and signage that match satellite and street view imagery. The date could not be verified independently. | Reuters was able to confirm the location from nearby buildings, windows, road layout, and signage that match satellite and street view imagery. The date could not be verified independently. |
Tremors were felt in Nepal’s capital Kathmandu 400km (250 miles) away, where residents ran from their houses. | Tremors were felt in Nepal’s capital Kathmandu 400km (250 miles) away, where residents ran from their houses. |
Tremors were also felt in the northern Indian state of Bihar which borders Nepal. As walls shook, people rushed out of their homes and apartments to open areas. | Tremors were also felt in the northern Indian state of Bihar which borders Nepal. As walls shook, people rushed out of their homes and apartments to open areas. |
So far, no reports of any damage or loss to property have been received, officials in India said. | So far, no reports of any damage or loss to property have been received, officials in India said. |
A magnitude 7.1 quake is considered strong and is capable of causing severe damage. | A magnitude 7.1 quake is considered strong and is capable of causing severe damage. |
Southwestern parts of China are frequently hit by earthquakes. A huge quake in Sichuan province in 2008 killed almost 70,000 people. | Southwestern parts of China are frequently hit by earthquakes. A huge quake in Sichuan province in 2008 killed almost 70,000 people. |
According to China’s state broadcaster CCTV, there have been 29 earthquakes with magnitudes of three or higher within 200km of the Shigatse quake in the past five years, all of which were smaller than the one that struck on Tuesday morning. | According to China’s state broadcaster CCTV, there have been 29 earthquakes with magnitudes of three or higher within 200km of the Shigatse quake in the past five years, all of which were smaller than the one that struck on Tuesday morning. |
In 2015, a magnitude 7.8 tremor struck near Kathmandu in neighbouring Nepal, killing about 9,000 people and injuring thousands in that country’s worst earthquake. | In 2015, a magnitude 7.8 tremor struck near Kathmandu in neighbouring Nepal, killing about 9,000 people and injuring thousands in that country’s worst earthquake. |
With Reuters and Agence France-Presse | With Reuters and Agence France-Presse |
This article was amended on 7 January 2025 to correct the farhenheit conversion of -8C. |