Powerful Earthquake Strikes Northern Himalayas, Claims 95 Lives

A powerful earthquake with a magnitude of 6.8 struck the northern foothills of the Himalayas near a sacred Tibetan city on Tuesday morning, according to Chinese authorities. The quake resulted in at least 95 fatalities and caused buildings to sway in neighboring countries including Nepal, Bhutan, and India.

The earthquake occurred at 9:05 a.m. local time (01:05 GMT) and had its epicenter in Tingri County, a rural area that serves as a northern gateway to the Everest region. The quake was recorded at a depth of 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) by the China Earthquake Networks Center, while the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) reported the magnitude as 7.1.

China’s state-run television confirmed the death toll and reported that 130 people were injured in the Tibetan region. So far, no fatalities have been reported in other affected countries.

This region, covering southwestern China, Nepal, and northern India, is known for its seismic activity due to the ongoing collision between the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates.

The epicenter was approximately 80 kilometers (50 miles) north of Mount Everest, the world’s tallest peak and a renowned destination for climbers and adventurers.