Earthquake in Tibet kills 53, Xi Jinping calls for comprehensive rescue

(CLO) Chinese President Xi Jinping has ordered an all-out rescue effort to minimize damage and save lives after a 6.8-magnitude earthquake struck Tingri County, Shigatse Province, Tibet, killing 53 people on the morning of January 7.

The earthquake killed at least 53 people and injured dozens, affecting nearby areas in Nepal, Bhutan and India.

The earthquake struck at 9:05 a.m. with its epicenter at a depth of 10 kilometers in Tingri, near the Everest region. The Shigatse region suffered extensive damage, with more than 1,000 houses damaged. Villages within 20 kilometers of the epicenter were severely affected, with more than 6,900 people directly affected.

Villages in Tingri, which has an average elevation of about 4,000 to 5,000 meters, reported strong shaking during the earthquake, followed by dozens of aftershocks with a magnitude of up to 4.4. Chinese officials closed the Everest region to tourists as a safety precaution after the disaster.

Houses damaged by an earthquake in a village in Shigatse, January 7. Photo: Xinhua

President Xi Jinping has ordered rescue forces and local governments to spare no effort in searching for, rescuing and relocating the affected people and ensuring their safety during the harsh winter. He has also directed urgent measures to minimize loss of life and property.

Chinese authorities have mobilized more than 1,500 rescue workers, along with about 22,000 relief items such as tents, coats and quilts to help people get through the cold winter.

The earthquake's power shook not only Tibet but also neighboring countries. In Nepal, people felt strong tremors, and one person was injured when he jumped from a rooftop in panic. In Bhutan and India, the earthquake also shook but there were no reports of serious damage.

A damaged car lies amid rubble on a street after an earthquake in Lhatse County, Shigatse City, Tibet, January 7. Screenshot

In the Nepal border region, where many remote villages are only accessible by road, local rescue agencies have also been mobilized to assess the damage. Although there is no official information on the number of casualties, the impact of the earthquake has caused great disruption in the area.

Authorities of the countries involved have simultaneously deployed relief measures, and the situation is still being closely monitored in the context that the region often faces earthquake risks due to the tectonic activities of the Indian and Eurasian plates.

Hoai Phuong (according to China Daily, Xinhua News Agency, Reuters)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/dong-dat-o-tay-tang-khien-53-nguoi-thiet-mang-ong-tap-can-binh-keu-goi-cuu-ho-toan-dien-post329384.html