5.9 magnitude earthquake hits Shigatse city in Southern Tibet/ENG

2020. március 20./Phayul.com/TibetPress

eredeti cikk

By Tenzin Dharpo

DHARAMSHALA, Mar. 20: A strong earthquake measuring 5.9 on the Richter scale hit near the city of Shigatse located in the Tingri County, Tibetan Autonomous Region at 9.33 a.m. local time on Friday, Chinese official media Xinhua news agency reported.

The epicenter of the quake was located 28.63 degrees’ north latitude and 87.42 degrees’ east longitude, with a depth of 10 km, according to the China Earthquake Networks Centre. No deaths or damages have been reported yet although state media reported that nine firefighters and three fire tenders were dispatched to the epicenter and more than 100 firefighters and dozens of vehicles are on standby.

Tremors of the quake were felt in neighbouring countries of Nepal, India and even Bangladesh. Indian National Centre for Seismology recorded the magnitude of the quake at 5.6 on the Richter scale, while the US Geological Survey reported 5.7. Some seismological centres in Nepal recorded the quake’s magnitude as high as 6.2 was recorded. Just five days ago, Pokhara in Nepal witnessed an earthquake of magnitude 5.

The entire Himalayan region sits on an active seismic zone as the motion between Indian tectonic plate and the Eurasian plates trigger earthquakes to release tension. In 2015, Nepal witnessed a devastating earthquake that killed more than 9000 people and crippled the nation for a while. Also

In May 2008, eastern Tibet also saw an earthquake measuring 7.9 magnitude on the Richter scale that killed 5300 people with many of them school children. The 2008 Sichuan earthquake is one of the deadliest natural disasters in occupied Tibet in recent memory.