A devastating earthquake has struck Tibet, leaving scores of people dead and causing widespread destruction across the region. The tremor, which struck Tuesday morning, registered a magnitude of 7.3 and hit the mountainous area of Nagqu, a remote part of Tibet that has long been vulnerable to seismic activity.
At least 80 people are confirmed dead, with many others feared trapped beneath collapsed buildings. The earthquake’s epicenter was reported to be just 40 miles from the Tibetan capital of Lhasa, though the hardest-hit areas were rural towns and villages in the surrounding mountainous terrain.
Local authorities say the death toll is likely to rise as rescue operations continue and more remote areas are accessed.
“The situation is dire, and we are mobilizing all available resources to assist the victims,” said Jin Hong, a spokesman for Tibet’s regional government.
Tremors were felt as far away as the neighboring regions of Sichuan and Yunnan, triggering panic and causing damage to infrastructure. Power outages have been widespread, and landslides triggered by the quake have blocked key roads, complicating efforts to reach affected areas.
Rescue teams have been dispatched to the affected areas, but access to many towns remains difficult due to damaged infrastructure and ongoing aftershocks. Helicopters have been deployed to airlift supplies and medical teams to the hardest-hit villages.
“Many buildings have collapsed, and it is a race against time to rescue those trapped inside,” said Dr. Liu Wei, a medical officer from Lhasa.
“We are doing everything we can to provide aid, but the difficult terrain is a major obstacle.”
China’s President Xi Jinping expressed his condolences to the families of the victims and pledged full government support for the disaster recovery efforts. In a statement, Xi also called for increased vigilance and preparedness in light of the widespread destruction.
The international community has quickly responded to the crisis, with countries around the world offering condolences and assistance. The United Nations and the World Health Organization (WHO) have expressed their willingness to support relief efforts, and several neighboring countries, including India and Nepal, have pledged to send aid teams.
“We stand in solidarity with the people of Tibet during this difficult time,” said UN Secretary-General António Guterres. “We are prepared to assist with humanitarian relief efforts in any way necessary.”
The earthquake comes just days after China’s government announced new measures to strengthen disaster preparedness in the region. Experts are already calling for a review of the safety protocols and building codes in earthquake-prone areas of Tibet.
Tibet is no stranger to seismic activity, but the scale of this disaster has left many in shock. The region, with its rugged terrain and sparse population, has long faced challenges in disaster response and infrastructure development.
In the aftermath, the focus will be on providing immediate relief to survivors, restoring basic services, and beginning the process of rebuilding. As more aftershocks are expected over the coming days, residents and emergency crews will remain on high alert as they work to recover from one of the deadliest earthquakes to hit Tibet in decades.
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