Devastating Earthquake Strikes Dingri, Tibet, Causing Major Destruction
A magnitude 6.8 earthquake struck Dingri, Tibet, on January 7, causing severe damage with up to 90% of homes collapsed. The death toll has reached at least 126, with many more injured. Rescue efforts continue amidst challenging weather conditions as residents seek to cope with the disaster.
On January 7, at approximately 9 am local time, a powerful earthquake measuring 6.8 on the Richter scale struck Dingri County, located in southern Tibet, an autonomous region in southwestern China. The tremor led to the collapse of numerous structures, resulting in the tragic loss of at least 126 lives and leaving 188 individuals injured, as reported by the official Xinhua News Agency. The United States Geological Survey recorded the earthquake with a slightly higher magnitude of 7.1, revealing its devastating impact on the region, where around 6,900 residents lived within 20 kilometers of the epicenter.
Dingri County is situated in the Himalayan foothills at an altitude of 4,200 meters, approximately 75 kilometers away from Mount Everest. The area experiences extreme cold, with daytime temperatures dipping to -8ºC and nighttime temperatures plummeting to -18ºC, complicating rescue operations significantly. The earthquake also led to a series of aftershocks, posing additional challenges to rescue efforts as workers attempted to locate survivors in the debris of collapsed homes, primarily small white houses characteristic of the rural Chinese countryside.
In the aftermath of this catastrophic event, rescue operations are ongoing despite the harsh climate and challenging conditions. With search and rescue teams working diligently to save those trapped, the focus remains on addressing the immediate needs of the affected population. The response from national leadership emphasizes the urgency to minimize loss of life and provide necessary assistance to the displaced individuals.
Original Source: www.lemonde.fr
