A powerful 7.1-magnitude earthquake rocked Tibet on January 7, 2025, leaving widespread devastation and claiming at least 95 lives, according to Chinese state media. The tremor struck at 9:00 a.m. local time near the city of Shigatse, located in western Tibet. The epicenter was near Dingri County, approximately 240 miles from Tibet’s capital, Lhasa, and situated close to the Tibetan region’s second most significant spiritual site, the seat of the Panchen Lama.
The earthquake, which was also felt in neighboring Nepal and parts of India, caused widespread destruction, particularly in villages near the epicenter. Over 130 individuals have been reported injured, and many homes collapsed, trapping people under rubble. Rescue efforts have been underway, with nearly 1,500 personnel dispatched to assist in the affected areas.
Shigatse, with a population of around 6,900, is surrounded by several villages that lie within a 12-mile radius of the epicenter, many of which have sustained significant damage. Fortunately, tremors that were felt in the Nepalese capital, Kathmandu, have not been followed by any immediate reports of substantial damage.
The Himalayan region, where Tibet lies, is known for its seismic activity, with frequent earthquakes due to the tectonic collision between the Eurasian and Indian plates. The region has experienced similar devastation in the past, including the 2008 Sichuan earthquake that killed nearly 70,000 people, and the catastrophic 7.8-magnitude quake in Nepal in 2015, which claimed almost 9,000 lives.
As authorities continue to assess the situation, the full extent of the disaster remains unknown. Local and international aid efforts are ongoing, and the community is rallying together in the aftermath of the tragedy.
