A strong earthquake struck China’s remote Tibet region on Tuesday, January 7, killing at least 53 people and trapping many others under collapsed buildings.
The tremor also triggered numerous aftershocks across western China and neighboring Nepal. Videos from China’s state broadcaster CCTV displayed homes with torn walls and widespread destruction.
Rescue workers were seen sifting through debris, with some offering locals thick blankets for warmth in the aftermath. CCTV surveillance footage showed people running through store aisles as shelves shook violently, sending items like toys crashing to the floor. In Lhatse, videos geolocated by AFP revealed debris scattered in front of street-side eateries.
The earthquake hit Dingri county, located near the Nepal border, with a magnitude of 6.8 at 9:05 am (0105 GMT), according to the China Earthquake Networks Center (CENC). The US Geological Survey recorded the tremor as a magnitude of 7.1.
As of Tuesday noon, the official Xinhua News Agency reported that “Fifty-three people have been confirmed dead and 62 injured” following the earthquake. Over 1,000 houses were damaged to varying degrees. State broadcaster CCTV noted that “Dingri county and its surrounding areas experienced very strong tremors, and many buildings near the epicenter have collapsed.”
Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasized the importance of “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,” according to CCTV. Xinhua added that local authorities are assessing the damage across townships in the county.
Temperatures in Dingri are around minus 8 degrees Celsius (17.6 degrees Fahrenheit) and are expected to drop to minus 18 degrees (0.4 degrees Fahrenheit) in the evening, as reported by the China Meteorological Administration.
In response, disaster relief aid, including cotton tents, quilts, and items designed for high-altitude and cold regions, has been sent by central authorities to assist the quake-affected areas.
