Tibet Earthquake Claims 126 Lives, Relief Efforts Underway Amid Freezing Temperatures
A devastating earthquake in Tibet killed 126 and injured 188 while collapsing over 3,600 homes. Rescue teams are distributing tents and quilts to the survivors as freezing weather continues to grip the high-altitude region. Over 30,000 residents have been relocated, with aftershocks continuing
Tibet Earthquake Kills 126 as Rescuers Battle Freezing Conditions
Rescue teams in western China's high-altitude Tibet region continue searching for survivors and victims after a powerful earthquake struck on Tuesday, killing at least 126 people and leaving thousands homeless. Relief supplies, including tents and quilts, are being delivered to provide temporary shelter for residents whose homes were destroyed or deemed unsafe.
The earthquake, which occurred about 75 kilometers (50 miles) from Mount Everest near the Nepal border, devastated the area. Temperatures fall below freezing at night in the region, whose average altitude is 4,200 meters (13,800 feet).
Devastating Impact
The confirmed death toll had reached 126 by Tuesday evening, with 188 others injured. In the village of Gurum alone, at least 22 residents lost their lives, Tsering Phuntsog, the Communist Party chief of the village, said. His 74-year-old mother and several family members are also among the victims whose bodies are buried under debris. "The younger ones could not move out of the house in time either," said Phuntsog. "They all were struck down."
Rampant Damage
According to preliminary report, more than 3,600 houses had collapsed and more than 30,000 were relocated because of the massive damage. The ministry of emergency management has dispatched 1,850 rescuers as well as firemen and others to the region. According to a report from China's state-run CCTV, rescue teams are trying hard to send relief and reach out to all the survivors in the area.
Aftershocks Add to Fear
More than 500 aftershocks have been recorded since the earthquake hit. The U.S. Geological Survey measured the quake to be of magnitude 7.1, while China's earthquake center reported a slightly lower magnitude of 6.8. The tremors were felt as far as Nepal's capital, Kathmandu, where residents fled their homes in panic.
Also read: Tremors felt in India as powerful 7.1 magnitude earthquake strikes Tibet, killing 53
Despite the cold weather and the high altitude, rescue efforts continue. The distribution of supplies hopes to alleviate some of the misery of those who have lost everything in the tragedy.
