7th January 2025 – (Shigatse) A 6.8 magnitude earthquake struck Dingri County in Shigatse, Tibet, at 9.05am, with a depth of 10 kilometres. Many residents reported experiencing intense tremors, leading to the collapse of buildings and resulting in at least 36 confirmed deaths. The Tibet Autonomous Region’s earthquake bureau reported that affected areas include Changsu, Quluo, and Cuoguo townships, with ongoing rescue efforts to locate those still trapped.
Seismological data indicates that several villages within a 5-kilometre radius were impacted, situated at an average altitude of approximately 4,259 metres. Preliminary analyses from the Hong Kong Observatory suggest that a separate 7.1 magnitude event occurred about 160 kilometres southwest of Shigatse. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) has also confirmed the occurrence of this 7.1 quake, which was felt in neighbouring Nepal as well.
As of 10 AM on the same day, over ten aftershocks had been recorded, the strongest measuring 4.4 in magnitude and located around 18 kilometres from the epicentre. Communication and power disruptions have been reported in Dingri and neighboring Lazhi counties.
The local government is actively coordinating rescue operations, with officials mobilising emergency services and personnel to assist in evacuations and aid efforts to mitigate the impact of aftershocks. The Western Theatre Command Air Force has initiated an emergency response plan, deploying drones to assess the damage and preparing transport and medical aircraft for potential rescue missions.
Residents shared their experiences on social media, with many describing the suddenness of the tremors while driving or at home. Some even reported receiving earthquake alerts on their mobile devices, indicating the widespread reach of the seismic activity across regions as far as Chengdu and Beijing.
