At least 95 people have been reported dead, and 130 others injured following a powerful earthquake that struck western China.
The earthquake hit Tibet’s holy city of Shigatse on Tuesday, Jan. 7, at approximately 9:00 a.m. local time, according to the BBC.
The Associated Press reported that multiple aftershocks affected the “high-altitude region of western China and across the border in Nepal.” The BBC further noted that tremors were also felt in parts of India.
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) measured the earthquake’s magnitude at 7.1 with a depth of around 10 kilometers (6 miles).
However, local outlets, including China Daily and state broadcaster China Central Television (CCTV), listed it as a 6.8 magnitude quake.
According to the USGS, the earthquake near Xizang, China, “occurred as the result of normal faulting at shallow depth north of the boundary between the Eurasia and Indian plates.”
Rescuers are actively working in affected areas, including Changsuo Township of Dingri in Xigaze, in the southwest Xizang Autonomous Region.
Reports indicate significant damage, with 1,000 houses affected and over 130 people injured, per the Tibet earthquake relief headquarters and state media.
Chinese leader Xi Jinping has called for “utmost efforts to treat the injured,” according to CCTV, urging authorities to prevent secondary disasters, properly resettle displaced residents, and effectively manage recovery efforts.
The Mount Qomolangma (Everest) Scenic Area on the Chinese side was closed following the quake. The epicenter was about 50 miles northeast of the world’s tallest mountain.
A staff member in the area stated that tourist vehicles planning to visit had “ceased operations” and noted the area “will reopen based on the situation after the aftershocks.”
The strongest aftershock recorded so far measured 4.4 in magnitude, according to Xiaoxiang Morning News.
In neighboring Nepal, aftershocks were felt, but no significant damage or casualties have been reported. Minor damage and cracks on houses were noted, according to the BBC, which cited an official from Nepal’s National Emergency Operations Centre.
Tuesday’s earthquake has sparked memories of the devastating 7.8 magnitude quake in 2015 near Nepal’s capital, Kathmandu, which killed nearly 9,000 people and injured over 20,000.
Manju Neupane, a shop owner in Kathmandu, shared her experience, saying, “In 2015, when the earthquake hit, I could not even move.
Today the situation was not scary like that. But I am scared that another major earthquake may hit us and we will be trapped between tall buildings.”
The USGS highlighted the region’s history of seismic activity, stating on its website, “The region near the India and Eurasia plate boundary has a history of large earthquakes.
In the past century, there have been 10 earthquakes of magnitude 6 and greater within 250 km of the January 7, 2025, earthquake.”
It also noted, “This includes the 2015 M7.3 Nepal earthquake, located about 160 km to the southwest and the 1934 M8.0 earthquake, located about 160 to the south-southwest.
The 2015 M7.3 Nepal earthquake was an aftershock of the April 25, 2015, M7.8 Nepal earthquake. This sequence of 2015 events resulted in 8,669 fatalities and widespread damage.”
Rescue operations are ongoing as authorities work to locate survivors and assess the full extent of the damage.