BEIJING: Rescue teams in Tibet continue their search for survivors in the aftermath of a devastating earthquake, as China updates its figures to show a significant rise in the number of people injured. The magnitude 6.8 quake, which struck near the foothills of the Himalayas, has left the region grappling with severe challenges in a remote county.
The state-backed Global Times reported on Friday that the number of people injured had risen to 337, nearly doubling the initial count of 188. The death toll remains at 126, but the situation remains fluid as the search for survivors continues. It is unclear how many remain unaccounted for, but experts warn that those trapped beneath the rubble are increasingly unlikely to survive, with the risk of hypothermia growing as temperatures plummet to -15°C (5°F) at night.
Since the earthquake struck, the region has been rocked by over 1,600 aftershocks, complicating rescue efforts and the relocation of more than 47,000 displaced individuals into temporary shelters. Despite these challenges, authorities remain focused on ensuring no one is left behind. A headline in Tibet Daily emphasized this message, noting that the regional Communist Party official took immediate action within 30 minutes of the quake’s occurrence.
This earthquake represents Tibet’s most devastating disaster in years, posing immense challenges to both rescue and recovery efforts. Local officials, including party secretary Wang Junzheng, visited the most severely impacted villages, where they were met with tearful scenes of elderly residents offering traditional Tibetan greetings. Many of these officials, despite the loss of their own homes, have joined relief efforts to sift through the rubble and oversee resettlement sites.
In response to the disaster, Chinese President Xi Jinping convened top officials to coordinate relief efforts, with a strong emphasis on rebuilding and improving the region’s resilience. Leaders stressed the need for swift action to rebuild and provide long-term solutions for those displaced. Authorities are now focused on ensuring that the displaced population receives adequate shelter and daily necessities, and have dispatched 743,000 tonnes of essential supplies, including grain, meat, and vegetables. Additional shipments of frozen pork, beef, and mutton are also en route.
The road to recovery will be long and challenging, but the government’s immediate response underscores its commitment to addressing both the urgent and long-term needs of the affected population.
