Rescue efforts are intensifying in Tibet after a powerful earthquake killed at least 126 people and displaced thousands in a remote area of western China. More than 14,000 rescue workers have been deployed, and over 400 survivors have been rescued, Chinese state media reports. The magnitude 7.1 quake struck on Tuesday, about 50 miles from Mount Everest’s base, destroying thousands of homes.
Vice-Premier Zhang Guoqing arrived on Wednesday to oversee relief operations, which are hindered by sub-zero temperatures dropping to -16°C overnight. Earthquakes are frequent in the region, which lies on a major geological fault line, but this was one of the deadliest quakes China has experienced in recent years.
A Region in Crisis
The earthquake, occurring at a depth of 10 km (6 miles) according to the US Geological Survey, was also felt in Nepal and parts of India. Due to tight internet restrictions in Tibet and Beijing’s control over media access, much of the available information comes from Chinese state sources.
President Xi Jinping has called for “all-out efforts” to minimize casualties and ensure displaced residents are resettled. According to state-owned People’s Daily, over 30,000 people have been relocated. By Wednesday morning, electricity and mobile phone services were restored in Tingri County, near the epicenter, where more than 3,600 buildings reportedly collapsed, leaving thousands without shelter.
Videos from Chinese broadcaster CCTV show widespread destruction in Shigatse, Tibet’s second-largest city, with homes reduced to rubble. Rescue workers were seen distributing thick blankets and searching for survivors in the debris.
Sangji Dangzhi, a 34-year-old shop owner, described extensive damage to homes made of dirt. “Lots of houses collapsed,” he said, adding that ambulances had been taking people to hospitals throughout the day.
Tremors Felt Beyond Tibet
Over 40 aftershocks were recorded following the initial quake. A researcher at the China Earthquake Networks Center stated that while another tremor of magnitude 5 might occur, the chances of a stronger quake are low.
In Nepal, tremors brought back memories of the 2015 earthquake that killed nearly 9,000 people. “Today’s quake wasn’t as scary, but I’m still afraid another major one could hit,” said Manju Neupane, a shopkeeper in Kathmandu.
In the Everest region, tourism has been temporarily halted, with visitors evacuated to safety. The Shigatse area, home to 800,000 people, holds religious significance as the seat of the Panchen Lama, the second-most important figure in Tibetan Buddhism.
The Dalai Lama, who fled to India in 1959 after China annexed Tibet, offered prayers for the victims, saying he hoped for a swift recovery for the injured.
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