Beijing: A 6.8-magnitude earthquake struck near Tibet’s holy city of Shigatse on Tuesday, leaving at least 53 dead and 62 injured.
The tremors also caused panic in neighbouring Nepal, forcing people to rush out of their homes and into the streets.
The earthquake hit Dingri County in Tibet’s Xigaze region at 9.05 am (Beijing Time), according to the regional disaster relief headquarters.
The US Geological Service, however, reported the quake’s magnitude as 7.1.
By midday Tuesday, officials confirmed 53 fatalities and 62 injuries, Chinese state media reported.
Authorities have activated a level-II emergency response, mobilising over 1,500 rescue workers and dispatching 22,000 relief items, including tents, coats, and supplies for high-altitude areas.
Shigatse, located near the Indian border, holds significant religious importance as the seat of the Panchen Lama, second only to the Dalai Lama in Tibetan Buddhism.
The epicentre was identified in Tsogo Township of Dingri County, home to about 6,900 people within a 20-kilometer radius.
Chinese President Xi Jinping ordered immediate relief efforts, emphasising the need to prioritize rescuing survivors, treating the injured, and preventing secondary disasters.
Xi stressed the importance of monitoring and early warnings, repairing infrastructure, and ensuring residents’ safety through the winter.
The Tibetan plateau is highly earthquake-prone, lying at the collision zone of the Eurasian and Indian tectonic plates.
Shigatse suffered significant damage during the devastating 8.1-magnitude earthquake that struck Nepal in 2015, which claimed 18 lives in the region.
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In Nepal, tremors were felt strongly in the districts of Kavrepalanchowk, Sindhupalchowk, Dhading, and Solukhumbu.
Residents in Kathmandu described seeing buildings and trees sway, triggering memories of the catastrophic 2015 earthquake that killed 9,000 people.
While no casualties have been reported in Nepal so far, authorities confirmed structural damage, including a stone building collapse in Kimathanka Rural Municipality, Sankhuwasabha District.
The China Earthquake Networks Center reported the quake struck at a depth of 10 kilometers, and several aftershocks with magnitudes ranging from 4 to 5 were recorded within an hour.
Both countries remain on high alert as rescue and relief efforts continue.
