Lhasa, Jan 9 (NationPress) A total of 1,211 aftershocks have been recorded as of 3 pm Thursday, following a 7.1-magnitude earthquake that shook the Nepal-Tibet border region earlier this week, as reported by local officials.
The most significant aftershock measured a magnitude of 4.4, occurring approximately 18 kilometers from the epicenter of the initial quake, according to the regional earthquake bureau. The bureau also indicated that 33 of the aftershocks exceeded a magnitude of 3.
The 7.1-magnitude earthquake on Tuesday resulted in 126 fatalities and left 188 individuals injured. Rescue operations have successfully freed a total of 407 trapped individuals.
On Tuesday night, the Red Cross Society of China (RCSC) dispatched a second wave of relief materials to the areas impacted by the quake, which included 4,300 items like cotton tents, quilts, and folding beds.
More than 50 rescue workers were also deployed by the RCSC, bringing along vital emergency supplies such as sanitary toilets, catering vehicles, and camper vehicles, as reported by the Xinhua news agency.
The National Centre for Seismology (NCS) confirmed that the earthquake struck at 6:35 am (IST) on Tuesday, with its epicenter located at latitude 28.86°N and longitude 87.51°E, at a depth of 10 km. The quake was centered in Xizang (Tibet Autonomous Region), close to the border of Nepal.
In Tonglai Village, Changsuo Township of Dingri in Xigaze (Shigatse), several buildings have collapsed.
The earthquake's impact was felt across northern India, affecting regions such as Bihar, West Bengal, Sikkim, and Delhi-NCR, causing panic as residents fled their homes. Fortunately, no casualties or property damage have been reported in India at this time.
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) identified the earthquake's location as 93 km northeast of Lobuche, near the Nepal-Tibet border. Lobuche is located close to the Khumbu Glacier, about 150 km east of Kathmandu and 8.5 km southwest of Everest Base Camp.
Nepal is positioned in a highly seismic region where the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates converge, making it susceptible to earthquakes. This tectonic activity, which gives rise to the Himalayan region, frequently results in seismic occurrences of various magnitudes.
Officials in Nepal and the affected regions of India are remaining observant, closely tracking the developments. The recent earthquake has heightened concerns in a locality historically prone to catastrophic seismic events.
