Fatalities and damages mount, with regional and international aid mobilizing to assist survivors.
**Desperate Search Continues After Devastating Earthquake in Tibet**
**Desperate Search Continues After Devastating Earthquake in Tibet**
Rescue operations ongoing as Tibet faces severe destruction and freezing temperatures.
Rescue teams are tirelessly working through the night in the wake of a catastrophic earthquake that struck Tibet, a region famous for its breathtaking landscapes, killing at least 126 people and damaging over 3,000 buildings. This intense seismic event, which registered a magnitude of 7.1 at a depth of approximately 10 kilometers, struck the region near Everest at around 09:00 local time (01:00 GMT) on Tuesday. Additionally, reports from Chinese state media indicate that 188 individuals sustained injuries due to the quake.
The situation is dire for those stranded, as harsh winter temperatures are expected to plummet to -16°C overnight, intensifying the urgency for rescue efforts. Despite being geographically situated on a notorious fault line prone to earthquakes, this particular incident has been recognized as one of the deadliest in recent years.
Disturbing visuals aired by CCTV, highlight extensive destruction in Shigatse, a city of religious significance in Tibet, showcasing scenes of collapsed structures as rescue workers navigate through the rubble, distributing blankets to those in need. Preliminary estimates indicate that around 3,609 buildings have suffered significant damage or have wholly collapsed, potentially leaving thousands homeless.
Eyewitness accounts share harrowing tales of survival. Sangji Dangzhi, who witnessed the devastation of his supermarket, described the extensive destruction, noting the vulnerability of mud-brick homes that simply could not withstand the force of the earthquake. As ambulances continued their missions throughout the day, another resident recounted his frantic escape when he was jolted awake by violent tremors that shook both the ground and his building.
Utility services have been severely disrupted as rescue efforts grapple with the challenges presented by the collapsed infrastructure. An unsettling series of over 40 aftershocks rattled the area hours after the initial quake. Meanwhile, state media reported a slight revision in the earthquake’s magnitude to 6.8, indicating further calculations may still unfold.
Various agencies, including the Chinese Air Force, have mobilized response measures with drones deployed to assess damage and assist in the search for survivors. President Xi Jinping stressed the importance of an exhaustive search and rescue operation to prevent further loss of life and to aid in the resettlement of those affected.
The tremors were also felt across the border in Nepal, where minor damage was reported but no casualties. Local officials in Kathmandu voiced their concern for potential future earthquakes, recalling prior traumatic experiences, including the devastating 2015 quake that claimed thousands of lives in the region.
As Tibet navigates this crisis, compassion and solidarity flow from both local and global communities as prayers and assistance pour in from figures, including the Dalai Lama, mourning the loss of life while expressing hope for swift recovery for the affected.
The situation is dire for those stranded, as harsh winter temperatures are expected to plummet to -16°C overnight, intensifying the urgency for rescue efforts. Despite being geographically situated on a notorious fault line prone to earthquakes, this particular incident has been recognized as one of the deadliest in recent years.
Disturbing visuals aired by CCTV, highlight extensive destruction in Shigatse, a city of religious significance in Tibet, showcasing scenes of collapsed structures as rescue workers navigate through the rubble, distributing blankets to those in need. Preliminary estimates indicate that around 3,609 buildings have suffered significant damage or have wholly collapsed, potentially leaving thousands homeless.
Eyewitness accounts share harrowing tales of survival. Sangji Dangzhi, who witnessed the devastation of his supermarket, described the extensive destruction, noting the vulnerability of mud-brick homes that simply could not withstand the force of the earthquake. As ambulances continued their missions throughout the day, another resident recounted his frantic escape when he was jolted awake by violent tremors that shook both the ground and his building.
Utility services have been severely disrupted as rescue efforts grapple with the challenges presented by the collapsed infrastructure. An unsettling series of over 40 aftershocks rattled the area hours after the initial quake. Meanwhile, state media reported a slight revision in the earthquake’s magnitude to 6.8, indicating further calculations may still unfold.
Various agencies, including the Chinese Air Force, have mobilized response measures with drones deployed to assess damage and assist in the search for survivors. President Xi Jinping stressed the importance of an exhaustive search and rescue operation to prevent further loss of life and to aid in the resettlement of those affected.
The tremors were also felt across the border in Nepal, where minor damage was reported but no casualties. Local officials in Kathmandu voiced their concern for potential future earthquakes, recalling prior traumatic experiences, including the devastating 2015 quake that claimed thousands of lives in the region.
As Tibet navigates this crisis, compassion and solidarity flow from both local and global communities as prayers and assistance pour in from figures, including the Dalai Lama, mourning the loss of life while expressing hope for swift recovery for the affected.
