Earthquake Shakes Western China and Nepal, Kills at Least 95
A strong earthquake shook a high-altitude region of western China and areas of Nepal on Tuesday, damaging hundreds of houses, littering streets with rubble and killing at least 95 people in Tibet. Many others were trapped as dozens of aftershocks shook the remote region.
Rescue workers climbed mounds of broken bricks, some using ladders in heavily damaged villages, as they searched for survivors. Videos posted by China’s Ministry of Emergency Management showed two people being carried out on stretchers by workers treading over the uneven debris from collapsed homes.
At least 130 people have been injured in the earthquake-hit area in Tibet on the Chinese side of the border, state broadcaster CCTV reported, citing the vice mayor of Shigatse city.
More than 1,000 homes were damaged in the barren and relatively sparsely populated region, CCTV said. In video posted by the broadcaster, fallen building debris littered streets and crushed cars.
Video: 7.1 Magnitude Earthquake Shakes Tibet, Kills at Least 120
1:45 7.1 magnitude earthquake shakes Tibet, kills at least 120
People in northeastern Nepal strongly felt the earthquake, but there were no initial reports of injuries or damage, according to the country’s National Emergency Operation Center. The area around Mount Everest, about 75 kilometers (50 miles) southwest of the epicenter, was empty in the depth of winter when even some residents move south to escape the cold.
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The morning quake woke up residents in Nepal’s capital of Kathmandu — about 230 kilometers (140 miles) from the epicenter — and sent them running out of their homes into the streets.
In this photo released by Xinhua News Agency, rescue workers search for survivors in the aftermath of an earthquake in Changsuo Township of Dingri in Xigaze, southwestern China’s Tibet Autonomous Region on Tuesday.
Xinhua via AP
The U.S. Geological Survey said the earthquake measured magnitude 7.1 and was relatively shallow at a depth of about 10 kilometers (6 miles). China’s Earthquake Networks Center recorded the magnitude as 6.8. Shallow earthquakes often cause more damage.
The epicenter was in Tibet’s Tingri county, in a seismically active area where the India and Eurasia plates clash and can cause earthquakes strong enough to change the heights of some of the world’s tallest peaks in the Himalayan mountains.
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Tibet is part of China, but may Tibetans’ loyalties lie with the Dalai Lama, the spiritual leader who has lived in exile in India since a failed anti-Chinese uprising in 1959.
Western governments and human rights organizations have repeatedly accused the Chinese government of abuses in Tibet, where it has cracked down on dissent while investing heavily in economic development.
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There have been 10 earthquakes of at least magnitude 6 in the area where Tuesday’s quake hit over the past century, the USGS said.
About 50 aftershocks were recorded in the three hours after the earthquake, and the Mount Everest scenic area on the Chinese side was closed.
Chinese leader Xi Jinping called for all-out efforts to rescue people, minimize casualties and resettle those whose homes were damaged. More than 3,000 rescuers were deployed, CCTV said.
Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing was dispatched to the area to guide the work, and the government announced the allocation of 100 million yuan ($13.6 million) for disaster relief.
About 6,900 people live in three townships and 27 villages within 20 kilometers (12.5 miles) of the epicenter on the Chinese side, state media said. The average altitude in the area is about 4,200 meters (13,800 feet), the Chinese earthquake center said in a social media post.
Conclusion
The earthquake in western China and Nepal has caused widespread damage and loss of life, with at least 95 people killed and hundreds injured. Rescue efforts are underway, and the Chinese government has pledged to allocate significant funds for disaster relief.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Where did the earthquake occur?
A: The earthquake occurred in a high-altitude region of western China and areas of Nepal.
Q: How many people were killed?
A: At least 95 people were killed in the earthquake.
Q: How many people were injured?
A: At least 130 people were injured in the earthquake.
Q: What was the magnitude of the earthquake?
A: The earthquake measured magnitude 7.1 and was relatively shallow at a depth of about 10 kilometers (6 miles).
Q: What are the next steps for rescue and relief efforts?
A: Chinese leader Xi Jinping has called for all-out efforts to rescue people, minimize casualties and resettle those whose homes were damaged. More than 3,000 rescuers have been deployed, and the government has allocated 100 million yuan ($13.6 million) for disaster relief.
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