China has nearly doubled the reported number of injured from the deadly earthquake in Tibet, as rescue efforts intensified on Friday in a remote Himalayan region, despite fading hopes of finding more survivors. According to the state-backed Global Times, the number of injured rose to 337 from the initial 188 reported on Tuesday, although the death toll remains at 126.
The number of missing is still unclear, but experts warn that those trapped under the rubble for over three days are unlikely to survive due to hypothermia. Night temperatures in the area range from minus 10 to minus 15 degrees Celsius (14 to 5 degrees Fahrenheit), without factoring in wind chill.
By Friday, more than 1,600 aftershocks had struck the disaster zone, complicating efforts to move over 47,000 affected individuals to temporary shelters. The state-run Tibet Daily reported that the regional Communist Party leader acted swiftly, emphasizing a thorough rescue operation with the headline, “Make sure no one is left behind!”
The earthquake, Tibet’s most severe in years, has posed significant challenges, including rescuing those trapped, recovering bodies, and relocating tens of thousands of displaced residents. Party Secretary Wang Junzheng visited the most affected villages in Tingri County, where locals greeted him emotionally, following Tibetan customs.
Local Tibetan officials and grassroots workers, despite losing their homes, actively participated in the relief efforts. President Xi Jinping convened top party officials to discuss and coordinate disaster relief, stressing the importance of achieving a decisive victory in the recovery efforts and urging for accelerated rebuilding and improved resilience.
Long-term housing solutions for the displaced population are a priority for government, along with ensuring a steady supply of essential goods. The government has dispatched 743,000 tonnes of supplies, including grain, cooking oil, meat, and vegetables, with additional frozen pork, beef, and mutton ready for delivery.
