According to regional disaster relief headquarters, the 6.8 magnitude quake took place at 9:05 am Tuesday (Beijing Time). However, according to the The US Geological Service, the quake's magnitude was 7.1.
๐ฆAt least 126 people died while 188 others sustained injuries as a 6.8 -magnitude earthquake struck Xigaze in Tibet Autonomous Region in China on Tuesday, state-run Xinhua news agency said. As per reports, heavy tremors also shook buildings and forced people to run to the streets in neighbouring Nepal.
๐According to regional disaster relief headquarters, the 6.8 magnitude quake took place at 9:05 am Tuesday (Beijing Time). However, according to the The US Geological Service and NCS, the quake's magnitude was 7.1.
๐The epicentre of the earthquake was located in Tsogo Township of Dingri County, which has a population of approximately 6,900 people within a 20-km radius.
๐There are 27 villages within this area. As per official data, Dingri County has a population of over 61,000 people.
เตฒFollowing the main earthquake, at least half a dozen tremors with magnitude ranging from 4 to 5 were also recorded within a time span of an hour around 7 am (Nepal time), according to the USGS report.
Level-II emergency:เฑ In view of the prevailing situation, China Earthquake Administration launched a level-II emergency service response and sent a work team to the site to assist with disaster relief efforts. Xizang Autonomous Region also issued a level-II emergency response to the quake.
President Xi reacts:๐ง Chinese President Xi Jinping ordered all-out rescue efforts to carry out relief and rescue operations in the affected areas.
เตฒIn his message, President Xi said it is essential to strengthen earthquake monitoring and early warning, promptly allocate emergency rescue supplies, expedite the repair of damaged infrastructure, ensure that the basic needs of residents are met, and guarantee a safe and warm winter for all.
Rescue and relief work underway:โ Some 22,000 disaster relief items, including cotton tents, cotton coats, quilts and folding beds, together with special relief materials for high-altitude and frigid areas, have been dispatched by central authorities to the quake-hit area. Over 1,500 local firefighters and rescue workers have also been dispatched to the ground.
Tremors felt in Nepal, India:โ Besides Tibet, the strong earthquake forced people to run out of their houses in Nepal. The tremors were felt in Kavrepalanchwok, Sindhupalanchok Dhading and Solukhumbu districts.
๐ Many people came out of their houses due to panic in Kathmandu. People witnessed buildings, trees and electric wires on the streets shaking for some time.
๊ฆThe tremors made their way to India as well. Aftershocks were felt in Delhi, West Bengal and Bihar. As per the Bihar Disaster Management Department, tremors were felt in Patna, Madhubani, Sheohar, Munger, Samastipur, Muzaffarpur, Katihar, Darbhanga, West Champaran, East Champaran and several other districts along the India-Nepal border.
๐The tremors triggered panic among people in Patna with citizens rushing out of their residences as a precautionary measure.
(With AP inputs)