On January 7, 2025, a magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck Tibet at 9:05 AM local time, resulting in at least 95 fatalities and 130 injuries by 3 PM. The main quake and numerous aftershocks led to significant building collapses, trapping many individuals.
The earthquake was felt in Kathmandu, Nepal, and parts of India and Bhutan, though no casualties have been reported from these regions. Video footage from Chinese state media shows widespread destruction in the aftermath.
According to the China Emergency Management Department, approximately 1,500 firefighters and rescue personnel have been dispatched to the affected area, along with essential relief supplies such as tents and blankets.
The U.S. Geological Survey reported the quake's depth at 10 kilometers, classifying it as a shallow earthquake, while China recorded it at a magnitude of 6.8. The epicenter was located about 75 kilometers northeast of Mount Everest.
This region is known for its geological activity due to the collision of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates, which has created the Himalayan mountain range. The average elevation near the epicenter is approximately 4,200 meters.
Within a 20-kilometer radius of the epicenter, there are three townships and 27 villages with a total population of about 6,900. Local officials are assessing the damage in coordination with nearby towns. The epicenter is approximately 380 kilometers from Lhasa, the capital of Tibet, and 23 kilometers from Shigatse, the region's second-largest city, which has a population of 800,000.
The China Meteorological Administration indicated that current temperatures in Dingri County are around -8 degrees Celsius and are expected to drop to -18 degrees Celsius tonight, complicating the situation for survivors who are forced to warm themselves by outdoor fires.
In Kathmandu, located about 230 kilometers from the epicenter, a man sustained injuries after jumping from a rooftop during the quake. Local officials noted that the tremors were strong enough to awaken residents. Information from remote areas near the epicenter in Nepal remains limited, but security forces have been deployed to assist in relief efforts. Northern Bihar in India and Bhutan also felt the tremors, but no casualties have been reported.