At 9:05 a.m. Beijing Time on Tuesday, a powerful magnitude-6.8 earthquake jolted Dingri County in the city of Xigaze, located in China’s Xizang Autonomous Region. The quake resulted in the tragic loss of 32 lives and left 38 people injured, according to Xinhua News Agency, citing regional disaster relief headquarters.
The earthquake caused significant destruction in and around Dingri, with many buildings collapsing near the epicenter. Social media footage has surfaced showing shattered rooftops and windows, painting a grim picture of the devastation faced by residents.
In response to the disaster, China’s State Council’s earthquake relief and emergency management departments have activated a Level-3 emergency response. A working group has been dispatched to the affected areas to guide rescue and relief efforts, underscoring the urgency of the situation.
The Western Theater Command of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army has also mobilized a team of 50 personnel to assist in the rescue operations, demonstrating a coordinated effort between military and civilian agencies to aid those impacted by the quake.
The seismic activity was felt beyond China’s borders, with tremors reaching as far as Kathmandu, the capital of neighboring Nepal, some 400 kilometers away. The widespread impact highlights the earthquake’s significant force and the potential for aftershocks in the region.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
