An earthquake in the Tibet region on Tuesday, January 7, resulted in the loss of at least 53 lives. The powerful quake, which had a magnitude of 6.8 according to the China Earthquake Networks Center (CENC) and 7.1 according to the US Geological Survey, hit Dingri county near the border with Nepal at 9:05 am local time.
Videos published by China’s state broadcaster CCTV showed the extent of the destruction, with houses reduced to rubble and walls torn apart.
Rescue workers were seen wading through the debris, searching for survivors and providing assistance to those affected.
The town of Lhatse was particularly hard hit, with videos geolocated by AFP showing debris scattered in front of streetside eateries. Surveillance footage from a local store captured the moment the earthquake struck.
According to the official Xinhua News Agency, 53 people have been confirmed dead and 62 injured as of Tuesday noon.
Over 1,000 houses have sustained different degrees of damage, with many buildings near the epicenter collapsing.
Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasized the need for “full-scale search and rescue efforts, minimizing casualties to the greatest extent possible, properly resettling affected residents, and ensuring their safety and warmth through the winter.”
The China Meteorological Administration reported that temperatures in Dingri were around minus 8 degrees Celsius (17.6 degrees Fahrenheit) and were expected to drop to minus 18 degrees Celsius in the evening.
In response to the disaster, central authorities have dispatched disaster relief aid, including cotton tents, quilts, and items for high-altitude and frigid areas, to support those affected by the quake.
As reported by Xinhua, local authorities are currently assessing the impact of the quake on various townships in the county.
