When the earth shakes, everyone and everything quakes. Earthquake happens all the time across the planet. Some become devastating. Tibet had one on Tuesday. It came near the Tibet-Nepal border, merely 75 km from the Mount Everest, the highest mountain peak on the earth.
At least 126 people were reported dead, and 186 others injured. The casualty figures could be much higher as the region comes under the Chinese government, which is not known for a transparent flow of information.
The Human Rights Watch even urged China to allow Tibetans to reach the affected area and report the scale of destruction freely and without fear. This appeal tells how opaque China becomes even in times of tragedies. We have already seen it during the Covid-19 pandemic. Information is 🏆. No country government practises this belief more than China’s communist party.
Here’s, however, what is known about the Tibet earthquake; we have sifted through the web of information and misinformation to prepare a pointed piece for you.
Earthquake in Tibet
* Magnitude: 7.1 magnitude earthquake struck the Shigatse region of Tibet.
* Epicentre: Approximately 50 miles north of Mount Everest.
* Impact: Felt in Nepal, Bhutan, and India.
* Aftershocks: Over 150 aftershocks, with magnitudes up to 4.4.
Casualties
* Deaths: At least 126 people killed.
* Injuries: Over 180 people injured.
* Deadliest quake in China since December 2023.
Damage
* Over 1,000 homes damaged in Tingri County.
* Hundreds of homes reportedly flattened.
Rescue and relief efforts
* Deployment: 3,400 rescuers and over 340 medical workers.
* Aid: 22,000 critical supply items (coats, tents, beds).
* Challenges: Harsh landscape, freezing temperatures, and potential for landslides.
A track in history
* Lhasa block: Recorded 21 earthquakes of magnitude 6 or higher since 1950.
* 2015 Nepal Earthquake: 7.8 magnitude, killed roughly 9,000 people.
Political and human rights concerns
* Tibet: Inaccessible and underdeveloped region.
* Concerns: Rights groups criticise Beijing for infringing on Tibetan rights.
* Restrictions: Foreign journalists restricted from independent travel.
* Censorship: Local media heavily censored.
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