Urgent News Update:
A strong earthquake has struck Shigatse, the second-largest city in Tibet, causing tremors that were felt in Nepal as well. The earthquake occurred at 9:05 am local time on Tuesday, with a depth of 10km. The China Earthquake Networks Centre reported a magnitude of 6.8, while the United States Geological Survey reported it as a magnitude 7.1.
The epicentre of the earthquake was approximately 380km from Lhasa, the capital of Tibet. Reports indicate that some communities within 5km of the epicentre suffered damage, with crumbled shop fronts and debris seen in the aftermath.
The earthquake also caused houses to collapse in Tonglai village, with casualties being assessed. Tremors were felt in northern India and Nepal, where residents ran out of their homes as buildings shook. The Himalayan region near Mount Everest experienced rattling and aftershocks as well.
Southwestern China is known for being prone to earthquakes, with 29 smaller earthquakes recorded within 200km of the epicentre in the past five years. The region has a history of devastating earthquakes, with the 2008 Sichuan earthquake and the 2015 Nepal earthquake being notable examples.
Authorities are monitoring the situation closely and assessing the extent of the damage caused by this recent earthquake.
