Rescuers in Tibet are working tirelessly through the night to locate survivors following a catastrophic earthquake that claimed at least 126 lives and damaged thousands of buildings in the region.
Search Efforts Continue Overnight Following Devastating Tibet Earthquake
Search Efforts Continue Overnight Following Devastating Tibet Earthquake
Rescue teams race against harsh winter conditions to find survivors of the 7.1 magnitude quake
The search for survivors continues deep into the night after a powerful earthquake shook the Tibetan region of China, leaving at least 126 confirmed dead and injuring another 188. The 7.1 magnitude quake, which struck at around 09:00 local time (01:00 GMT) on Tuesday, also caused extensive damage, with over 3,600 buildings reported compromised. Rescuers face additional challenges as temperatures are expected to plunge to -16 degrees Celsius overnight.
Earthquakes are not uncommon in this seismically active area, which lies along a significant fault line. However, this earthquake is amongst the most deadly recorded in China for several years. The US Geological Survey confirmed the quake had a depth of 10 kilometers (six miles), and tremors were felt as far afield as Nepal and parts of India.
Video footage aired on state media showed the destruction wrought by the quake, particularly in Shigatse city, where rescue workers scoured through rubble, distributing blankets to those in need. Sangji Dangzhi, a local shop owner whose store was damaged, described the collapse of many homes constructed from dirt materials. "When the earthquake came... a lot of houses collapsed," he recounted, adding that ambulances were transporting injured residents throughout the day.
As of the evening local time, reports indicated that almost 3,609 buildings had collapsed, leaving countless individuals without shelter. Local eyewitnesses relayed dramatic accounts of the quake’s impact, with one Shigatse hotel resident saying they were jolted awake by the intensity of the shaking. "I felt like even the bed was being lifted," he shared, acknowledging that Tibet had recently experienced numerous smaller quakes.
Utilities, including power and water, have been disrupted following the quake, which was accompanied by over 40 aftershocks in the immediate aftermath. Chinese state media reported varying magnitudes of the earthquake, with some sources indicating a slightly lesser strength of 6.8.
Jiang Haikun from the China Earthquake Networks Center warned that the area may still face further seismic activity. Although he stated the likelihood of a larger quake is low, he advised vigilance due to the ongoing geological instability in the region.
The earthquake also impacted tourism in the area, famously situated at the foot of Mount Everest. Tours initially set for Tuesday were canceled, and three visitors in a sightseeing area were relocated for safety.
The Shigatse region is historically significant, housing 800,000 residents and serving as the traditional seat of the Panchen Lama, an essential figure in Tibetan Buddhism. The Dalai Lama expressed his sorrow over the tragedy, extending condolences to the victims and offering his wishes for a speedy recovery to the injured.
In Nepal, although strong tremors were felt, no major casualties or damage were reported. Local authorities noted minor damage, stirring memories of the devastating 2015 earthquake that claimed nearly 9,000 lives in the country.
As the search and rescue operations persist, President Xi Jinping has called for comprehensive efforts to maximize the rescue operations and assist displaced residents, with the Chinese air force deploying resources in the affected areas.
Earthquakes are not uncommon in this seismically active area, which lies along a significant fault line. However, this earthquake is amongst the most deadly recorded in China for several years. The US Geological Survey confirmed the quake had a depth of 10 kilometers (six miles), and tremors were felt as far afield as Nepal and parts of India.
Video footage aired on state media showed the destruction wrought by the quake, particularly in Shigatse city, where rescue workers scoured through rubble, distributing blankets to those in need. Sangji Dangzhi, a local shop owner whose store was damaged, described the collapse of many homes constructed from dirt materials. "When the earthquake came... a lot of houses collapsed," he recounted, adding that ambulances were transporting injured residents throughout the day.
As of the evening local time, reports indicated that almost 3,609 buildings had collapsed, leaving countless individuals without shelter. Local eyewitnesses relayed dramatic accounts of the quake’s impact, with one Shigatse hotel resident saying they were jolted awake by the intensity of the shaking. "I felt like even the bed was being lifted," he shared, acknowledging that Tibet had recently experienced numerous smaller quakes.
Utilities, including power and water, have been disrupted following the quake, which was accompanied by over 40 aftershocks in the immediate aftermath. Chinese state media reported varying magnitudes of the earthquake, with some sources indicating a slightly lesser strength of 6.8.
Jiang Haikun from the China Earthquake Networks Center warned that the area may still face further seismic activity. Although he stated the likelihood of a larger quake is low, he advised vigilance due to the ongoing geological instability in the region.
The earthquake also impacted tourism in the area, famously situated at the foot of Mount Everest. Tours initially set for Tuesday were canceled, and three visitors in a sightseeing area were relocated for safety.
The Shigatse region is historically significant, housing 800,000 residents and serving as the traditional seat of the Panchen Lama, an essential figure in Tibetan Buddhism. The Dalai Lama expressed his sorrow over the tragedy, extending condolences to the victims and offering his wishes for a speedy recovery to the injured.
In Nepal, although strong tremors were felt, no major casualties or damage were reported. Local authorities noted minor damage, stirring memories of the devastating 2015 earthquake that claimed nearly 9,000 lives in the country.
As the search and rescue operations persist, President Xi Jinping has called for comprehensive efforts to maximize the rescue operations and assist displaced residents, with the Chinese air force deploying resources in the affected areas.
