January 7th 2025.
As we continue reading, we come across a devastating piece of news. A major earthquake has struck in China, claiming the lives of at least 53 people and leaving dozens more injured. The 6.8 magnitude quake hit the mountainous region of Tibet, near the border with Nepal, early this morning. According to the US Geological Survey, the earthquake measured a magnitude of 7.1. It was centered around 50 miles northeast of Mount Everest, which stands at the border.
The state-run news agency Xinhua reported that on the Tibetan side, 53 people have been confirmed dead and 62 have been injured. This area is known to be prone to earthquakes, as it is located where the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates collide. Just a few years ago in 2015, a magnitude 7.8 tremor struck near Kathmandu, claiming the lives of 9,000 people and injuring thousands more. It was recorded as Nepal's worst ever earthquake.
The epicenter of this recent earthquake was located near Shigatse, Tibet, at a shallow depth of just six miles. The impact was felt across the region, home to a population of 800,000. This area is administered by Shigatse city, which is also the traditional seat of the Panchen Lama, an important figure in Tibetan Buddhism. In response to the disaster, Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for all-out search and rescue efforts to minimize casualties and provide proper support for those affected.
Reports from the ground reveal the extent of the damage caused by the earthquake. In the town of Lhatse, videos on social media show crumbled shop fronts and debris scattered on the road. In the village of Tonglai, Changsuo Township of Dingri, people can be seen standing amid damaged houses. It's a grim reminder of the recent deadly earthquakes that have hit China. These tremors tend to occur most frequently on the Tibetan Plateau or its fringes, where the India and Eurasia plates collide.
One of the deadliest earthquakes in China's recent history took place in May 2008 in Sichuan province, claiming the lives of nearly 90,000 people. The collapse of buildings, including schools, led to a massive effort to rebuild using more quake-resistant materials. Other deadly earthquakes have struck in Yunnan province in the south, as well as in Qinghai and Gansu provinces. The list of major recent earthquakes is a sobering reminder of the destruction and loss of life caused by these natural disasters.
As authorities continue to assess the situation, it has been reported that there are three townships and 27 villages within 12 miles of the epicenter, with a total population of around 6,900. Local government officials are working closely with nearby towns to gather information and provide assistance to those affected. The impact of the earthquake was also felt in Nepal's capital Kathmandu, where residents ran from their houses. Tremors were also felt in Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan, and the northern Indian state of Bihar. So far, no reports of damage or loss to property have been received from these areas. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all those affected by this tragic event.
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