A magnitude 6.8 earthquake struck the Himalayan foothills of Tibet on Tuesday, killing at least 126 people and injuring 188 in China’s Tibet region. More than 400 people were trapped under rubble but have been rescued, with an unknown number still unaccounted for in freezing weather.
The epicentre was located in Tingri, about 80 km north of Mount Everest. Temperatures dropped as low as minus 18 degrees Celsius overnight, posing a significant risk to survivors under rubble or without shelter. Experts warn that people trapped could endure rapid hypothermia and only have five to 10 hours to live.
Chinese authorities have deployed over 14,000 rescue personnel, with more than 46,500 people affected by the quake relocated. The quake destroyed over 3,609 homes in the Shigatse region, home to 800,000 people. Aftershocks continue to jolt the area, with 646 earthquakes recorded as of noon on Wednesday.
The situation is being closely monitored, with officials warning that another magnitude 5-6 earthquake could occur in the near future. Russia’s President Vladimir Putin and Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te have expressed condolences to the victims. A global bond selloff continued on Wednesday, pressuring stock prices and boosting the dollar as signs of a strong US economy dimmed expectations for aggressive interest rate cuts.
Source: https://www.reuters.com/business/environment/rescue-efforts-under-way-after-earthquake-tibet-kills-more-than-120-2025-01-08