Thousands of rescuers were searching for survivors in freezing conditions Wednesday after a devastating earthquake in China's remote Tibet region killed at least 126 people. Videos published by state broadcaster CCTV on Wednesday showed rescue workers pulling injured victims from the rubble of collapsed buildings and carrying them to safety.
Rescue Efforts and Conditions
At least 126 people have been confirmed dead and 188 others injured in the Tuesday morning quake that struck rural, high-altitude Tingri county, about 80 kilometers (50 miles) north of Mount Everest near China's border with Nepal. More than 3,600 houses have collapsed and over 30,000 residents have been relocated, as the search for trapped victims is ongoing.
Rescuers are racing against time to set up tents for relocated residents in an area where temperatures are forecast to drop. The temperature in Tingri is currently minus 11 degrees Celsius (12.2 Fahrenheit), according to the China Meteorological Administration. The county sits at an average altitude of 4,500 meters (14,800 feet) above sea level.
International Assistance and Response
Authorities said more than 12,000 people, including firefighters, soldiers, police officers, and professional rescuers had been deployed. Aid including tents, quilts, and cold-weather equipment had been dispatched by central authorities. Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for all-out search and rescue efforts to minimize casualties and ensure the safety and warmth of affected residents.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed profound sadness at the lives lost in the earthquake and stated that the United Nations stands ready to provide support if requested. French President Emmanuel Macron and Russian President Vladimir Putin also offered assistance and condolences to those affected.
Impact and Reactions
The earthquake, measured at magnitude 6.8 by the China Earthquake Networks Center, has caused significant damage in Tingri, a less developed area home to around 62,000 people. Many of the fallen houses were constructed of traditional materials such as stone, mud bricks, and wooden beams.
The Dalai Lama expressed deep sadness and offered prayers for those affected by the earthquake. Areas around Nepal's Lobuche and parts of India also experienced tremors, though there have been no reported injuries or deaths in those regions.
earthquake, Tibet, rescue efforts, international assistance, casualties
