**Tragic Earthquake in Tibet Claims Lives and Causes Destruction**

**An earthquake of magnitude 7.1 has struck Tibet, leading to fatalities and injuries, as the region grapples with its frequent seismic challenges.**

 

At least 32 lives have been lost and 38 individuals injured following a significant earthquake that rocked Tibet’s Shigatse city on Tuesday morning, according to reports by Chinese state media. The tremor, recorded at a magnitude of 7.1 by the US Geological Survey and reaching a depth of 10 kilometers (about six miles), struck around 09:00 local time (01:00 GMT) and triggered a series of aftershocks.

The earthquake's impact was felt across borders, with reports of tremors reaching neighboring Nepal and parts of India. The mountainous region, which is prone to seismic activity due to its location on a prominent geological fault line, has a historical precedent of earthquakes. Shigatse is renowned as one of Tibet’s holiest cities and serves as the traditional residence of the Panchen Lama, a significant figure in Tibetan Buddhism, regarded as second in authority only to the Dalai Lama.

Chinese state media reported the earthquake's magnitude to be slightly lower at 6.8, highlighting extensive tremors that caused over 1,000 houses to sustain damage. Videos circulating on social media have depicted the collapse of buildings, emphasizing the devastating effects of the quake. Expert Jiang Haikun from the China Earthquake Networks Center conveyed to CCTV that while aftershocks are expected, the chances of experiencing a more powerful earthquake in the near future are minimal.

In response to the disaster, the Chinese air force has mobilized rescue teams and deployed drones to assist in the affected areas near the base of Mount Everest, where extreme sub-zero temperatures currently prevail. Meanwhile, residents are facing disruptions in essential services, with both power and water supplies cut off in impacted locations.

Officials in Nepal have reported feeling tremors; however, they stated that no substantial damage or casualties have been recorded. Tibet's earthquake bureau noted that it is still in the process of assessing the total number of casualties, which could change as verification efforts continue. The region remains vulnerable to earthquakes, with a significant event recorded in 2015, leading to catastrophic loss of life and injuries near Nepal's capital.