Tibet Earthquake: 16 Dead, 76 Injured as 7.0-Magnitude Quake Rips Through Nakchu
A powerful 7.0-magnitude earthquake hits Nakchu, Tibet, killing 16 and injuring 76. Rescue operations are underway amidst harsh conditions.
A devastating 7.0-magnitude Tibet earthquake Nakchu struck northern Tibet on Thursday night, leaving a trail of destruction with at least 16 people dead and 76 others injured. The powerful tremor hit the Tangnezong district of Nakchu at 10:33 pm local time, triggering a massive emergency response across the region.
Extent of the Destruction
The scale of the damage is significant, with local authorities reporting that 339 houses have been either damaged or completely destroyed. The quake also took a toll on the local agricultural infrastructure, wiping out or damaging 20 livestock sheds.
According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the epicentre of the quake was located approximately 183 km east-northeast of Nagqu city. Meanwhile, India's National Centre for Seismology (NCS) noted that the earthquake occurred at 8:03 pm IST, originating at a depth of 173 km.
Massive Rescue and Relief Operation
Chinese President Xi Jinping has ordered an intensification of search and rescue efforts, emphasizing the need for immediate medical care for the injured and all necessary measures to minimize further loss of life. He also stressed the importance of monitoring weather and seismic activity to prevent secondary disasters.
The relief effort is a massive undertaking involving more than 5,000 personnel dedicated to rescue, medical aid, and the distribution of supplies. As of Friday morning, authorities confirmed that 12,489 residents had been evacuated. Following three rounds of rigorous door-to-door inspections, officials stated that no persons were reported missing as of 6 pm on Friday.
Challenges on the Ground
Rescue teams are facing a grueling battle against nature. The operations are being severely hampered by:
- Extreme Geography: The rugged terrain of northern Tibet.
- Harsh Climate: Low temperatures and reduced oxygen levels due to the high altitude.
- Secondary Threats: Ongoing risks of landslides, falling rocks, and the potential collapse of weakened buildings.
Infrastructure and Financial Aid
The earthquake caused immediate chaos in transportation. The state broadcaster CCTV reported that railway authorities were forced to suspend all train services passing through the affected areas following the tremor.
To combat the crisis, China has allocated 50 million yuan in emergency relief funding, with an additional 30 million yuan earmarked specifically for recovery efforts. Emergency teams are currently on the ground distributing essential supplies, including blankets, food, and tents, while repair crews work to fix damaged infrastructure.
International and Political Reactions
Penpa Tsering, the President of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), expressed deep concern over the disaster. He highlighted that Tibet is a known seismic zone and that such phenomena are recurring.
“Last night, there was an earthquake... the scale of it is about 7, according to what we hear right now, but it could be more; we still don’t know. We’ll have to look for more inputs,” Tsering stated.
Tsering also pointed out the difficulty in obtaining accurate, real-time information from the affected Tangnezong area, noting that access to data from the region remains a persistent challenge.