Rescue operations in Tibet are racing against time as freezing temperatures threaten the lives of survivors trapped in the aftermath of a powerful 6.8-magnitude earthquake. With over 400 people rescued so far, the search continues for an unknown number still missing amid rubble and destruction. The earthquake, centered in Tingri near Mount Everest, is one of the most severe tremors to hit the region in recent years.
Devastation Across the Himalayan Foothills
The earthquake struck on Tuesday, shaking areas in Tibet, Nepal, Bhutan, and India. In Tibet’s Shigatse region, the quake caused widespread destruction, with over 3,600 homes reported as destroyed. The tremor shifted the landscape around the epicenter by as much as 1.6 meters over an 80-kilometer stretch, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
Temperatures in the affected high-altitude regions plunged to minus 18 degrees Celsius overnight, creating life-threatening conditions for survivors. Experts warn that those trapped could succumb to hypothermia within hours, even if they are uninjured.
Casualties and Injuries
Chinese authorities reported at least 126 deaths and 188 injuries in Tibet. Meanwhile, no fatalities were recorded in Nepal, although a school building near Everest was destroyed. German climber Jost Kobusch, who was at Everest’s base camp during the quake, described violent shaking and avalanches. Fortunately, he was unharmed and is now descending to safety.
Massive Relief Efforts Underway
Rescue teams have mobilized rapidly, deploying over 1,800 emergency personnel and 1,600 soldiers to the affected areas. State media confirmed that more than 30,000 people have been relocated to temporary shelters. Footage from Shigatse shows families huddled in rows of blue and green tents set up by aid workers and soldiers.
Home to approximately 60,000 residents, Tingri is Tibet’s most populous county near the Nepali border. The area’s traditional landmarks, such as Shigatse’s Tashilhunpo Monastery, reportedly remain undamaged.
Aftershocks and Long-Term Impacts
Since the initial quake, over 500 aftershocks have been recorded, with magnitudes reaching up to 4.4. This continued seismic activity adds urgency to relief efforts, as weakened structures remain vulnerable to collapse. The earthquake is the strongest to hit China since a 6.2-magnitude tremor in 2023 and serves as a stark reminder of the tectonic instability of the region.
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Global Condolences and Support
Global leaders, including the Dalai Lama, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, and Russian President Vladimir Putin, have extended their condolences to the victims of the earthquake.
A Region on the Edge
The collision of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates makes southwestern China and the surrounding Himalayan region highly prone to earthquakes. Tuesday’s quake is a grim addition to a history of devastating tremors, including the 2008 Sichuan earthquake that claimed over 70,000 lives.
As rescue teams race to save lives and provide aid, the focus remains on rebuilding a region left shattered by nature’s force.
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