In the recent turn of events, a powerful earthquake struck the foothills of the Himalayas near one of Tibet’s holiest cities on Tuesday, leaving at least 126 people dead and destroying hundreds of homes, according to Chinese authorities.
The 6.8 magnitude quake’s epicentre was located approximately 80 kilometres (50 miles) north of Mount Everest, the world’s tallest peak. The tremors were felt in neighbouring countries, including Nepal, Bhutan, and India.
The Shigatse region of Tibet, home to 800,000 residents, experienced widespread devastation. Shigatse city, the administrative centre and traditional seat of the Panchen Lama—an important figure in Tibetan Buddhism—suffered significant damage, with many homes reduced to rubble. Footage released by Tibet Fire and Rescue showed rescue workers searching through the debris of a collapsed house, successfully pulling out one injured individual.
Moreover, according to China’s state-run Xinhua news agency, at least 126 people have been confirmed dead and 188 injured on the Tibetan side, with no reports of fatalities from other areas.
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Following the disaster, President Xi-Jinping stated that comprehensive search and rescue operations should be conducted to reduce casualties and help resettle the affected individuals. He further restricted tourists to the Everest region.Â
