646 Aftershocks Recorded Following 7.1 Magnitude Earthquake at Nepal-Tibet Border

Lhasa, Jan 8 (NationPress) As of Wednesday noon, a remarkable 646 aftershocks have been recorded following a 7.1-magnitude earthquake that struck the Nepal-Tibet border region, as reported by the regional government.

The most significant aftershock registered a magnitude of 4.4, occurring approximately 18 kilometers from the initial epicenter, according to Hong Li, the head of the regional emergency management department.

This earthquake has tragically resulted in 126 fatalities and left 188 individuals injured. Fortunately, essential services such as telecommunications, roads, and power have been restored in the affected areas.

On Tuesday night, the Red Cross Society of China (RCSC) dispatched a second round of relief materials to the impacted regions, which included 4,300 items such as cotton tents, quilts, and folding beds.

Additionally, over 50 rescue personnel were sent to assist in the recovery efforts, bringing with them emergency sanitary toilets, catering vehicles, and camper vehicles, among other supplies, 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 site was identified as Xizang (Tibet Autonomous Region), near the border with Nepal.

In Tonglai Village, located in Changsuo Township of Dingri in Xigaze (Shigatse), numerous houses have collapsed.

The earthquake was felt widely, sending tremors across northern India, affecting states such as Bihar, West Bengal, Sikkim, and the Delhi-NCR region, causing panic among residents. However, as of yet, no casualties or significant property damage have been reported in India.

The United States Geological Survey (USGS) identified the earthquake's location as 93 km northeast of Lobuche, close to the Nepal-Tibet border. Lobuche is situated near the Khumbu Glacier, roughly 150 km east of Kathmandu and 8.5 km southwest of Everest Base Camp.

Nepal, positioned in a highly seismically active area where the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates converge, frequently experiences earthquakes. This tectonic activity, which has shaped the Himalayan region, often leads to seismic events of varying intensities.

Authorities in Nepal and the impacted regions of India are remaining vigilant, closely monitoring the situation. This earthquake has heightened concerns in an area historically prone to significant seismic activity.