Tibet hit by 5.1-magnitude earthquake days after devastating flash floods

A magnitude 5.1 earthquake struck Tibet on Thursday, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), adding to concerns in a region still dealing with the aftermath of a devastating Himalayan disaster.

The quake occurred at a depth of 10 km (6.21 miles), according to GFZ, Reuters reported.

The tremor came days after a massive ice, rock and mud avalanche triggered flash floods across parts of Nepal and Tibet, leaving widespread destruction and thousands of people missing.

Death toll crosses 1,200 after flash floods

The August 26 disaster has killed 1,273 people, including at least 1,252 in Nepal and 21 in Tibet, according to figures cited by authorities and Chinese state media. More than 4,700 people remain unaccounted for across the two countries.

Nepal has reported 4,216 people still missing, while China has said 541 people are missing in Tibet.

The disaster began when a huge mass of glacier and rock collapsed in the Himalayas near the Nepal-China border. The avalanche hit the Lhende Khola river system, temporarily blocking the river and forming a natural dam. Water and debris later surged downstream into the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli river systems, devastating settlements in Nepal's Rasuwa district and surrounding areas.

Earthquake signal was linked to landslide

Early reports had suggested that an earthquake may have triggered the disaster. However, subsequent USGS analysis found that the seismic signal was produced by the massive landslide itself. The collapse generated a seismic event of around magnitude 5.2.

The latest magnitude-5.1 earthquake reported on Thursday is a separate seismic event and is not linked to the seismic signal from last week's glacier collapse.

The floods struck some of the worst-hit areas without significant rainfall, leaving communities with little warning. Homes, vehicles, roads and bridges were swept away, while hydropower facilities suffered severe damage.

Thousands remain missing as rescue operations continue

Nearly 600 foreign nationals from more than 30 countries are also missing. Indians are among the largest groups, while the US State Department said around 75 Americans remained unaccounted for.

Relatives have been visiting hospitals and morgues in Kathmandu in search of information. "I feel desperate, it's been so many days," 53-year-old American Sanjeev Rai said after travelling to Nepal when he learned that his wife could not be traced.

Relief efforts have been hampered by destroyed roads and bridges. Aid agencies are considering traditional porters to reach isolated mountain communities.

"We've been discussing with the government how also to use helicopters, cargo drones to be able to deliver aid," UN Resident Coordinator for Nepal Lila Pieters Yahia told reporters in Kathmandu. "The beauty of your country (is) you have porters. So we have to go back into also those very simple means to bring the aid as soon as possible."

Nepal's army and rescue teams are also searching hydropower tunnels where workers are feared trapped, using excavators and heavy machinery to clear mud and debris.