Quake in Tibet: 126 dead, thousands displaced amid rescue effort
An earthquake with a magnitude of 7.1 occurred in Tibet. At least 126 people have died, and nearly 200 are injured. Thousands of residents were forced to leave their homes, and many are still considered missing.
Following the earthquake with a magnitude of 7.1 on the Richter scale in the Shigatse region of Tibet in the morning of January 7 (EST), over 500 aftershocks followed, writes the Associated Press. At least 126 people were killed, and 188 were injured. Many people are still considered missing. The earthquake caused massive destruction, especially in remote villages that are difficult to reach due to collapsed roads and landslides.
The epicentre was near the city of Tingri, close to Mount Everest. Residential buildings, schools, and infrastructure were destroyed. More than 14,000 rescuers are participating in the search operation, using drones and search dogs to locate people under the rubble.
"Dingri county and its surrounding areas experienced very strong tremors, and many buildings near the epicentre have collapsed," said one of the rescuers in an interview with CCTV.
Thousands left homeless
More than 3,600 homes were destroyed, and about 46,000 people had to leave their homes. Many families are now living in temporary shelters, but the low temperatures make survival challenging. Temperatures have dropped below 0°C, posing an additional threat to survivors.
"I was waiting in line and we heard something – then we realized it was an earthquake. It got stronger and stronger and the windows started shaking," reported one resident. "We have never felt an earthquake that strong before."
Medical teams are working non-stop, but limited resources and transportation difficulties are hindering aid in remote locations. Helicopters are often the only means of delivering support.
International solidarity
China has mobilized significant resources to address the crisis, but other countries have also offered support. India and Nepal, which also felt the tremors, expressed their willingness to assist.
Chinese President Xi Jinping ordered local authorities to prioritize efforts to save lives.
A Red Cross representative said that the first 72 hours are critical for saving lives, stressing the importance of time in extreme cold.
A long road to recovery
The reconstruction of the region after the earthquake will take a long time and require significant resources. Many places still lack electricity and communication access. Rescuers fear aftershocks, which could pose threats to both survivors and rescue teams.
Sources: BBC News, CNN, Associated Press, The Guardian, USGC
