Rescue workers in Tibet, a high-altitude region of western China, continued searching for survivors and victims on Wednesday following a powerful earthquake that struck the previous day. The quake leveled thousands of homes, resulting in at least 126 deaths.
Relief supplies, including tents and quilts, were being distributed to those left homeless or whose homes are now unsafe. With temperatures plummeting well below freezing overnight in the region, which averages an altitude of 4,200 meters (13,800 feet), providing shelter has become critical.
As of Tuesday evening, the death toll had reached 126, with another 188 people injured. The earthquake, which struck about 75 kilometers (50 miles) from Mount Everest and near the Nepal border, caused panic in Kathmandu, where residents fled their homes.
Among the victims were 22 residents of the village of Gurum, according to its Communist Party chief, Tsering Phuntsog. He reported the loss of his 74-year-old mother and several other relatives still trapped under the debris. “Even young people couldn’t escape when the earthquake struck, let alone the elderly and children,” he said.
A preliminary survey indicated that more than 3,600 houses collapsed, and 30,000 residents had to be relocated. The city government in Shigatse, also known as Xigaze in Chinese, provided these figures.
The Ministry of Emergency Management has deployed 1,850 rescuers, including firefighters, to the affected areas, according to state broadcaster CCTV. Over 500 aftershocks have been recorded following the earthquake, which the US Geological Survey measured at magnitude 7.1, while China’s earthquake center reported it at 6.8 magnitude.
Efforts to reach and assist affected communities have been hampered by the region’s challenging terrain and harsh weather conditions. Many of the remote villages are accessible only via narrow, mountainous roads, which have been further compromised by landslides triggered by the earthquake and aftershocks.
Authorities have mobilized helicopters and heavy machinery to expedite the rescue and relief operations. However, the freezing temperatures and the thin air at such high altitudes are making it difficult for rescuers to operate efficiently and for the displaced to survive without adequate shelter and supplies.
Local hospitals are overwhelmed with the injured, and makeshift medical facilities have been set up to provide immediate care. The government has urged nearby provinces to send medical teams and additional supplies to support the ongoing efforts.
International aid organizations have also offered assistance, with some already coordinating with Chinese authorities to deliver essential supplies such as food, water, medical kits, and winter clothing.
The government has pledged to rebuild the affected areas and provide financial support to the families who have lost their homes and loved ones. In the meantime, community centers and schools are being repurposed to house the displaced, offering a temporary refuge from the harsh conditions.
