In a dramatic turn of events, over 400 individuals trapped by a powerful earthquake in the Himalayas’ foothills have been rescued, according to Chinese authorities. The relentless search for survivors is now into its second day, as more than 30,000 local residents have been relocated to safety.
The tremor, with a magnitude of 6.8, struck in Tingri, situated approximately 80 kilometers north of the iconic Mount Everest. This fierce quake was one of the region’s most intense shakes in recent memory, sending shockwaves across Nepal, Bhutan, and India.
As the hours ticked by post-quake, those ensnared beneath the rubble faced a daunting night in sub-zero temperatures. The risk of hypothermia and dehydration loomed large among those left stranded.
“Sometimes Mother Nature has a way of reminding us of her power,” an emergency responder reflected. An initial assessment indicated a staggering 3,609 homes had been left in ruins in the Shigatse region of Tibet—a region populated by nearly 800,000 residents. Over 500 medical personnel, alongside 106 ambulances, have been dispatched to assist the injured.
The harsh high-altitude conditions plunged temperatures as low as minus 18 degrees Celsius overnight, intensifying the plight of those without shelter. Fortunately, relief efforts began to roll in, with tents, food supplies, generators, and other essentials arriving on the scene by the end of the day. Roads that had been damaged during the quake were also reopened, as reported by CCTV.
Tourist Meng Lingkang, who found himself in Lhatse—about 65 kilometers from the quake’s epicenter—described the devastation. “The buildings had cracked open,” he recounted, visibly shaken. “Older houses have crumbled, and many brick structures have huge fissures in them.” The influx of rescue vehicles was hard to miss. “They were arriving one after the another,” he noted.
In the backdrop of these events, Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasized the need for “all-out search and rescue efforts,” as reported by CCTV. Meanwhile, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed his deep sorrow for the lives lost in the quake. “The United Nations is closely monitoring the situation and stands ready to provide support if requested,” he announced.
Support also poured in internationally, with French President Emmanuel Macron offering aid. Condolences were shared from Russian President Vladimir Putin and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, highlighting the global concern for those affected.
Tingri falls under the jurisdiction of Shigatse, a region known for its rich spiritual significance, including being the traditional residence of the Panchen Lama—one of Tibetan Buddhism’s key figures after the Dalai Lama.
The Dalai Lama expressed his own sadness regarding the disaster: “I offer my prayers for those who have lost their lives and extend my wishes for a swift recovery to all who have been injured,” he stated.
Earthquakes are a common occurrence in southwestern China, northern India, and Nepal. This seismic activity is primarily due to the interaction between the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates, pushing upwards an ancient seabed that forms the expansive Qinghai-Tibetan plateau.
The entire plateau is characterized by seismic volatility, an issue mirrored in regions like Sichuan, Gansu, and Qinghai in China. While Beijing administers Tibet as an autonomous region, critics from various rights groups argue that the local culture and religious practices have faced suppression.
By morning, reports indicated more than 500 aftershocks had followed the initial quake, registering magnitudes of up to 4.4. The China Earthquake Networks Centre confirmed this data by 8 AM today, making it clear that the earth is still shifting beneath their feet.
A review of recent seismic events reveals this isn’t the first instance of nature’s wrath in this area. In the past five years alone, there have been 29 earthquakes with magnitudes above three within 200 kilometers of yesterday’s epicenter. Notably, a catastrophic 8.0 magnitude earthquake rattled Sichuan in 2008, claiming over 70,000 lives, marking it as the deadliest quake in China since the infamous 1976 Tangshan disaster, which resulted in at least 242,000 fatalities.
Yesterday’s quake stands as the most severe tremor since a 6.2 magnitude quake earlier this year, which tragically took the lives of at least 149 people in a remote northwestern area of the country. As rescue efforts continue and communities begin the long process of recovery, the echoes of this devastating earthquake will be felt for years to come.
Edited by: Ali Musa
alimusa@axadletimes.com
Axadle international–Monitoring
