Major Earthquake in Tibet Claims 53 Lives and Injures Dozens

A powerful 7.1 magnitude earthquake struck Tibet’s Shigatse city, causing at least 53 deaths and injuring 62. The Chinese air force has commenced search and rescue operations amid severe weather conditions, while President Xi Jinping calls for immediate action to aid the affected communities.

A devastating earthquake struck Tibet’s holy Shigatse city on Tuesday morning, resulting in at least 53 fatalities and 62 injuries, as reported by Chinese state media. The earthquake, measuring 7.1 on the Richter scale and occurring at a depth of 10 kilometers (six miles), was registered at approximately 09:00 local time (01:00 GMT). The US Geological Survey noted a series of aftershocks following the initial tremor. Tremors were also felt in neighboring Nepal and parts of India.

The region, located on a significant geological fault line, is accustomed to seismic activity. In response to the disaster, the Chinese air force has initiated rescue operations, deploying drones to assist in reaching the affected area, which is situated at the base of Mount Everest and facing frigid temperatures. Both power and water supplies in the region have been disrupted, complicating recovery efforts. Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for comprehensive search and rescue operations to reduce casualties and facilitate the resettlement of displaced residents.

This earthquake highlights the ongoing risk of seismic activity in the Tibetan region, which lies along an active fault line. Earthquakes in this area are frequent due to the interplay of tectonic plates. The infrastructure in remote mountainous regions, especially those facing extreme weather conditions, poses additional challenges in the aftermath of such natural disasters. Previous earthquakes in similar regions have tested the effectiveness of rescue and recovery efforts.

In summary, the earthquake in Tibet has resulted in significant loss of life and numerous injuries, prompting emergency response efforts from the Chinese air force and a call for coordinated rescue operations by President Xi Jinping. As this region is prone to seismic activity, continued vigilance and preparedness are essential in mitigating the impacts of future earthquakes.

Original Source: en.armradio.am