A strong earthquake in Tibet has killed at least 53 people and injured many others, with dozens still trapped in the rubble. The quake, with a magnitude of 6.8-7.1, struck western China and Nepal, prompting a massive rescue operation involving 1,500 firefighters and rescue workers. The affected areas, including remote mountainous villages, saw many buildings collapse as aftershocks continued.
Images from the scene showed collapsed buildings and homes, with reports of at least nine deaths in three townships in Tibet’s Shigatse region. The city of Shigatse, a significant spiritual and cultural hub in Tibet, also suffered damage. The earthquake’s impact was felt in northern India and Nepal, where residents experienced strong tremors.
While no casualties have been reported in Nepal yet, authorities are on high alert, given the region’s history of seismic activity. China saw a devastating earthquake in Sichuan in 2008, while Nepal endured a major quake in 2015. The recent quake in Tibet serves as a stark reminder of the constant threat of earthquakes in the region.
With winter making rescue efforts more challenging, the death toll is expected to rise. The earthquake has caused widespread destruction and disrupted the lives of many, underscoring the need for preparedness and emergency response measures in earthquake-prone regions like Tibet and Nepal.
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