7.1-magnitude earthquake hits Tibet region, felt across Nepal

KATHMANDU– A significant earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 7.1 occurred in Tibet, southern China, with tremors felt across Nepal and as far away as India, Bhutan, and Bangladesh, as reported by seismologists.

Limited information was available immediately.  The earthquake struck at 9:05 Tibet time or 7:05 Nepal time (0105 UTC) on Tuesday and was centered on the Chinese side of the border, approximately 94 kilometers from 177 km southwest of Shigatse, Tibet, or 201 km northeast of Kathmandu, Nepal.

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) indicated the earthquake had a preliminary magnitude of 7.1 and struck about 10 kilometers below the surface, making it a very shallow earthquake.

The earthquake was widely felt across the region, with numerous reports of strong shaking shared on social media. Tremors were felt in Tibet, Nepal (including the capital Kathmandu), and parts of India, Bhutan, and Bangladesh.

“An earthquake struck Kathmandu. My usual wake-up time is 4:00 AM. After rising, I engage in my morning routine, which includes reciting my Buddha mantra, taking medicine, and preparing coffee by 5:00 AM in my room, followed by a brief rest. Due to my bird-like sleeping position, I was able to detect the creaking noises and bed tremors. Witnessing the room’s walls and curtains shaking, I swiftly donned a tracksuit and exited. The screams of the neighbors brought back memories of April 2015. If this continues, I will need to sleep in full attire, complete with a helmet. lol 😂 ,” Mingma Dorjee Sherpa , resident in Kathmandu , Nepal writes on his Facebook status.

Nepal and the surrounding region are occasionally hit by strong earthquakes. A powerful 7.8-magnitude earthquake hit northwest of Kathmandu in April 2015, killing nearly 9,000 people and injuring thousands more.