At 9:05 a.m. on January 7, a 6.8 magnitude earthquake struck Dingri County in Shigatse City, Tibet, with a focal depth of 10 kilometres. According to preliminary assessments, as of 3:00 p.m. on January 7, the earthquake had resulted in 95 fatalities and 130 injuries.

A large number of houses near the epicentre collapsed or were damaged. Roads, bridges, power systems, and communication infrastructure in some areas were also affected, with specific losses still being calculated.

Dingri County is located in the southwestern border region of China, on the northern slopes of the central Himalayas at the foot of Mount Everest, the world’s tallest peak. The average altitude within 5 kilometres of the epicentre is approximately 4,259 meters. The complex terrain poses significant challenges for rescue operations.

As of 1:00 p.m. on January 7, 16 aftershocks of magnitude 3 or above had been recorded, with the largest being a 4.4 magnitude aftershock.

According to the China Earthquake Networks Center's catalog, 29 earthquakes of magnitude 3 or above have occurred within 200 kilometres of the epicentre in the past five years, with this event being the strongest.

The China Earthquake Administration has activated its emergency response mechanism and dispatched an expert team to the disaster zone to assess the damage and provide scientific guidance for subsequent rescue efforts. Meanwhile, the Tibet Military Command, armed police units, and other forces quickly mobilised, carrying rescue equipment and supplies to the epicentre to conduct rescue operations.

Chinese President Xi Jinping issued important instructions, emphasising the need to conduct all-out efforts to rescue trapped individuals, minimise casualties, properly settle affected residents, and ensure their safety and warmth during the winter.