Tibet Earthquake: 126 Dead, Over 200 Injured, Rescue Efforts Underway!

A strong earthquake of 6.8 magnitude shook Tibet on Tuesday, leading to a tragic rise in the death count to 126 people, as reported by Xinhua, a Chinese news agency. Nearly 200 others got hurt, and many homes were damaged, causing streets to be covered in rubble. Around 1,000 houses suffered damage in the remote area.

To provide assistance, more than 3,000 rescuers were sent to help find survivors and aid those in need. Xi Jinping, the President of China, called for all efforts to minimize injuries and help relocate people who lost their homes. The Chinese government allocated 100 million yuan (about $13.6 million) for relief efforts.

Rescue teams were seen searching through the wreckage, helping injured people while stepping over collapsed buildings. Tibet is known for its earthquakes, with over 100 recorded last year. However, earthquakes of 7.0 magnitude or higher are rare.

Around 22,000 items were sent to help, including warm tents, blankets, and beds designed for cold mountain areas. In neighboring Nepal, many people felt the tremors and hurried outside in fear, especially in districts like Kavrepalanchwok and Sindhupalanchok.

There were about 150 aftershocks felt within nine hours after the main quake. The Mount Everest scenic area on the Chinese side has been closed for safety. Many villages close to the epicenter were affected, with about 6,900 people living within 20 kilometers of it.

The earthquake significantly impacted the Shigatse region of Tibet, home to about 800,000 residents. Many buildings in Shigatse city, an important place for Tibetan Buddhism, were severely damaged, as shown in videos from the local fire and rescue department.