Earthquake Near Mount Everest Claims 126 Lives, Tremors Felt In Indian Regions

At least 126 individuals have lost their lives following a 7.1 magnitude earthquake that struck Tibet near the Nepalese border, said reports. The quake's tremors were experienced in various parts of India, including Bihar, Assam, and West Bengal. The epicentre was located in Tingri county within Shigatse city, approximately 400 km southwest of Lhasa, Tibet's capital.

Seismic Activity and Aftershocks

The National Centre for Seismology (NCS) recorded the initial earthquake at 6:35 am. Following this, two additional quakes were detected in the region. The first aftershock measured 4.7 in magnitude and occurred at 7:02 am at a depth of 10 km. A subsequent tremor of magnitude 4.9 was recorded at 7:07 am with a depth of 30 km.

Tingri is a popular destination for tourists visiting Mount Everest and lies on the border with Nepal. This region is part of a geologically active area where the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates meet, forming the Himalayas. Such geological activity makes earthquakes common in this area.

Historical Context and Impact

In 2015, Nepal experienced a devastating earthquake with a magnitude of 7.8 that resulted in nearly 9,000 fatalities and over 22,000 injuries. More than half a million homes were destroyed during that disaster. This recent quake serves as a reminder of the region's vulnerability to seismic events.

In Bihar, the tremors prompted residents to evacuate their homes and apartments temporarily. Fortunately, there have been no reports of property damage due to the earthquake in this area. The situation remains under observation as authorities assess any potential impacts.