Powerful 7.1-magnitude earthquake hits Tibet, killing 126 people

A powerful 7.1-magnitude earthquake struck Tibet in southern China, destroying thousands of homes and killing at least 126 people, according to seismologists and local officials. Shaking was also felt in Nepal, India, Bhutan and Bangladesh.

The earthquake, which struck at 9:05 a.m. Tibet time or 6:50 a.m. Nepal time (0105 UTC) on Tuesday, was centered on the Chinese side of the border, about 177 kilometers southwest of Shigatse, Tibet or 201 kilometers northeast of Kathmandu, Nepal.

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) said the earthquake had a preliminary magnitude of 7.1 and struck about 10 kilometers below the surface, making it a very shallow earthquake. China’s earthquake center put the magnitude at 6.8.

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

Significant damage was reported in towns near the epicenter in Tibet, where more than 3,600 homes were destroyed. At least 126 people were confirmed dead by 7 p.m., according to the state-run Xinhua news agency.

More than 1,500 rescue workers have been sent to the region, according to state-run media.

On the other side of the border, Nepal Police spokesperson Bishwa Adhikari said there were no immediate reports of serious damage or fatalities from the powerful earthquake, but more than a dozen people suffered panic-related injuries.

Computer models from the USGS estimate that up to 135 million people may have felt Tuesday’s earthquake, including 100,000 people near the epicenter who may have experienced “strong” to “violent” sharing.

“The shake was quite good,” one resident in Nepal told EMSC. “Birds started chirping. Everyone came out of their houses in the early morning cold.”

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.

Wow! Here's another look at the now Upgraded M7.1 #Earthquake from a Khumjung, #Nepal Live Cam moments ago. 🥴 #NepalEarthquake pic.twitter.com/qtVklIJa8e

— LiveCamChaser (@LiveCamChaser) January 7, 2025