Kiwis in Tibet urged to register on SafeTravel following deadly quake

• Kiwis overseas are urged to register on SafeTravel after the Tibet earthquake.
• The quake, magnitude 6.8, hit Tingri County, causing at least 126 deaths and 188 injuries.
• Tremors have also been felt in Nepal, India and Bhutan.

New Zealanders currently living or travelling overseas are urged to register online on SafeTravel following yesterday’s devastating earthquake in Tibet that has left at least 126 people dead.

This morning, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) advised New Zealanders abroad to register on SafeTravel, the Government department’s official website for travel information for Kiwis.

“We are monitoring the situation following the earthquake in China’s Tibet region, also felt in Nepal, India and Bhutan,” it said in a written statement to the Herald.

“New Zealanders in the region should follow the advice of local authorities. New Zealanders in need of consular assistance can call our Consular Emergency Line on +64 99 202020.

Update: A total of 126 people have been confirmed dead and 188 others injured as of 7 p.m. Tuesday, after a 6.8-magnitude earthquake jolted Dingri County in southwest China's Xizang on Tuesday morning.
Search and rescue operations is still ongoing as night falls. pic.twitter.com/257cqSrJN3

— China Xinhua News (@XHNews) January 7, 2025

“All New Zealanders living or travelling overseas are encouraged to register on SafeTravel.”

MFAT noted the number of confirmed New Zealanders in the affected regions already registered on SafeTravel.

“There are currently 20 people registered on SafeTravel as being in Nepal. There are no New Zealanders registered as being in the Tibet region of China. There are no New Zealanders registered as being in Bhutan,” it said.

The magnitude 6.8 quake epicentre hit Tingri County, about 80km north of Mt Everest near China’s border with Nepal, on Tuesday.

China’s state broadcaster CCTV shared videos of the aftermath, showing many buildings reduced to rubble.

Speaking to AFP, Sangji Dangzhi, a supermarket owner whose store was destroyed in the quake, described the situation as “very serious”.

“Here the houses are made from dirt so when the earthquake came... lots of houses collapsed,” the 34-year-old said.

According to CCTV, at least 126 people have been confirmed dead and 188 others injured.

Varsha Anjali is an Auckland-based multimedia journalist for the Herald who specialises in travel.