A powerful magnitude-6.8 earthquake struck Dingri County in the city of Xigaze, southwest China\u2019s Xizang Autonomous Region, at 9:05 a.m. on Tuesday. As of 3 p.m., the death toll has risen to 95, with 130 others injured.
Official data shows that approximately 6,900 people live within a 20-kilometer radius of the epicenter. A preliminary survey revealed that more than 1,000 houses have sustained varying degrees of damage.
Rescuers are braving freezing temperatures, combing through rubble in search of survivors. The challenging weather conditions are hampering efforts, but teams remain undeterred in their mission to find and aid those affected.
“We are mobilizing all available resources to ensure the safety and well-being of our residents,” said a local official overseeing the rescue operations. Medical teams have been dispatched to provide immediate care to the injured.
Residents in the affected areas are urged to stay vigilant as aftershocks continue to be felt. Emergency shelters have been established to provide temporary housing for those displaced by the disaster.
The earthquake has disrupted transportation and communication networks in the region, making coordination of relief efforts more challenging. Authorities are working to restore essential services as quickly as possible.
The international community has extended condolences and offers of assistance. The full extent of the damage is still being assessed, and long-term recovery efforts are expected to follow once immediate rescue operations conclude.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
