On January 7, 2025, a powerful 7.1 magnitude earthquake struck Tibet's Shigatse city at 9:05 AM local time, resulting in at least 36 fatalities. The earthquake's epicenter was located at a depth of 10 km (6.2 miles). Initial reports had estimated the magnitude at 6.9, but the US Geological Survey later revised it to 7.1. Significant damage was reported in Dingri County, particularly affecting the townships of Changsuo, Quluo, and Cuoguo.
Tremors from the earthquake were felt as far away as Nepal's capital, Kathmandu, approximately 400 km (250 miles) from the epicenter, and in India's Bihar state. Fortunately, there were no immediate reports of casualties in Nepal or India. This earthquake is noted as the most powerful in the region in the last five years, highlighting the ongoing seismic activity in this tectonically active area.
The recent seismic events in the region come on the heels of Taiwan's own earthquake challenges, where a series of quakes, including a 6.1 magnitude tremor, had previously shaken the island. Taiwan's strict building codes and disaster preparedness measures have been credited with minimizing casualties during these events. The contrast between the devastation in Tibet and the relatively effective response in Taiwan underscores the importance of preparedness and infrastructure resilience in earthquake-prone areas. [3baedaf2]