Earthquake on Nepal-Tibet Border Results in 95 Fatalities and 130 Injuries

New Delhi, Jan 7 (NationPress) A significant earthquake measuring 7.1 on the Richter scale struck the border area between Nepal and Tibet early on Tuesday, resulting in at least 95 fatalities and 130 injuries, according to reports from the media.

The National Centre for Seismology (NCS) announced that the quake occurred at 6:35 a.m. (IST), pinpointing the epicentre at latitude 28.86°N and longitude 87.51°E, at a depth of 10 km. This location is identified as Xizang (Tibet Autonomous Region), close to the border with Nepal.

Reports from the Xinhua news agency indicate that the majority of the fatalities were in the city of Xizang, alongside numerous injuries and considerable structural damage.

In Tonglai Village, located in Changsuo Township of Dingri in Xigaze (Shigatse), several buildings have reportedly collapsed.

The tremor also generated shockwaves felt throughout northern India, impacting regions such as Bihar, West Bengal, Sikkim, and Delhi-NCR, prompting residents to flee their homes in a panic. Fortunately, there have been no reports of casualties or property damage in India at this time.

Following the initial quake, two aftershocks were recorded: a 4.7-magnitude tremor at 7:02 a.m. (IST), with its epicentre at latitude 28.60°N and longitude 87.68°E, at a depth of 10 km, and another 4.9-magnitude quake at 7:07 a.m. (IST), located at latitude 28.68°N and longitude 87.54°E, at a depth of 30 km.

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

Nepal lies in a region with high seismic activity, where the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates converge, making it susceptible to earthquakes. This tectonic movement, which has formed the Himalayan region, frequently results in seismic occurrences of various magnitudes.

Authorities in Nepal and the affected regions in India are on high alert, closely monitoring the situation. This recent earthquake has raised concerns in an area that has historically been prone to severe seismic events.