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| Tibet earthquake: scores dead and hundreds of homes damaged | Tibet earthquake: scores dead and hundreds of homes damaged |
| (about 3 hours 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 126 people had died, more than 188 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 the tremor at 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. |
| The Dalai Lama, the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism, who lives in exile in India, said he was “deeply saddened” by the natural disaster. | The Dalai Lama, the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism, who lives in exile in India, said he was “deeply saddened” by the natural disaster. |
| “I offer my prayers for those who have lost their lives and extend my wishes for a swift recovery to all who have been injured,” he said. | “I offer my prayers for those who have lost their lives and extend my wishes for a swift recovery to all who have been injured,” he said. |
| Tenzin Lekshay, a spokesperson for the Central Tibetan Administration, the government in exile for Tibet, said: “We are deeply saddened by the loss of lives and the extensive destruction of property in Tibet following the recent series of earthquakes. Our heartfelt condolences go out to the grieving families. We are holding a prayer service in remembrance and solidarity.” | Tenzin Lekshay, a spokesperson for the Central Tibetan Administration, the government in exile for Tibet, said: “We are deeply saddened by the loss of lives and the extensive destruction of property in Tibet following the recent series of earthquakes. Our heartfelt condolences go out to the grieving families. We are holding a prayer service in remembrance and solidarity.” |
| 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. |
| The 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. | The 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 metres. Temperatures in Dingri are around -8C (18F) and will drop to -18C this evening, according to the China Meteorological Administration. | 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 metres. Temperatures in Dingri are around -8C (18F) and will drop to -18C this evening, according to the China Meteorological Administration. |
| Li Qiang, China’s premier, stressed the need to ensure that people in the quake-stricken area were kept warm, according to Chinese state media. | Li Qiang, China’s premier, stressed the need to ensure that people in the quake-stricken area were kept warm, according to Chinese state media. |
| Shigatse is regarded as the seat of the Panchen Lama, a holy figure in Tibetan Buddhism who is second only to the Dalai Lama. | Shigatse is regarded as the seat of the Panchen Lama, a holy figure in Tibetan Buddhism who is second only to the Dalai Lama. |
| 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. |
| South-western parts of China are frequently hit by earthquakes. A huge quake in Sichuan province in 2008 killed almost 70,000 people. | South-western parts of China are frequently hit by earthquakes. A huge quake in Sichuan province in 2008 killed almost 70,000 people. |
| According to 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 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. |
| Reuters and Agence France-Presse contributed to this report | |
| This article was amended on 7 January 2025 to correct the fahrenheit conversion of -8C. |