Tibet: The number of people injured in the 7.0 magnitude earthquake that struck the Bagen area in Nagqu city, Tibet, on Thursday night has risen to 76, and 16 people have died. Rescue and relief operations are being carried out intensively in the affected areas.
A powerful earthquake struck around 10:33 p.m. on Thursday night in the Bagen area of Nagqu city in northern Tibet, which is under Chinese administration.
At a press conference held on Friday afternoon, the Nagqu municipal office said that 339 houses and 20 livestock sheds were damaged by the earthquake.
Xi Jinping orders
Chinese President Xi Jinping has instructed officials to intensify search and rescue operations, ensure timely medical treatment for the injured, and take all possible measures to reduce casualties.
He has also called for close monitoring of seismic and weather conditions, while preventing secondary disasters and providing shelter for displaced people.
More than 5,000 personnel have been deployed for rescue, medical assistance, and the distribution of relief supplies. As of 10 a.m. on Friday, officials said 12,489 residents had been evacuated. After three phases of door-to-door searches, no one was reported missing as of 6 p.m. on Friday.
Transport, rail services affected
Transportation has been disrupted in the area affected by this earthquake. Following the tremor, railway authorities have suspended train services in the earthquake-hit areas, Chinese state broadcaster CCTV reported.
Difficulty in obtaining information
Meanwhile, Penpa Tsering, the head of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), expressed concern over the earthquake and said more information was needed to assess the extent of the damage, adding that it was difficult to obtain information from the affected area, Tsering noted.
Delay in carrying out relief operations
Relief operations have been delayed because the earthquake-hit area has high altitude, low temperatures, low oxygen levels, and rugged terrain. Authorities have also warned of secondary hazards, including landslides, rocks rolling down, and buildings collapsing.
Disaster Relief Fund Allocation
China has allocated 50 million yuan as emergency disaster relief funds and another 30 million yuan for rescue operations.
As emergency teams distribute tents, food, blankets, and other essential supplies, repair crews are engaged in restoring infrastructure.
Ongoing monitoring operations
Officials have said that rescue operations and monitoring of earthquakes and severe weather conditions will continue.
Why do earthquakes occur frequently..?
It is noteworthy that earthquakes occur from time to time in this region because the Tibetan Plateau lies above a landmass where the Eurasian and Indian tectonic plates collide with each other at high speed.