Deadly 6.8-Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Southwest China, 126 Dead and Hundreds Injured

A powerful 6.8-magnitude earthquake struck southwest China’s Xizang Autonomous Region on Tuesday morning, resulting in the deaths of at least 126 people and injuring 188 others. The quake, which hit at 9:05 a.m. Beijing Time, caused widespread destruction in the region, particularly in Tsogo Township and nearby areas on the northern slope of the Himalayas.

The epicenter was located in Tsogo Township, Dingri County, in the city of Xigaze. With 27 villages and nearly 6,900 people within a 20-kilometer radius of the epicenter, the earthquake caused significant damage, with 3,609 houses reported as collapsed. Rescuers have successfully freed 407 trapped individuals, and over 30,000 affected residents have been relocated to safer areas.

As rescue operations continue, authorities are focused on providing emergency shelter as temperatures in the area are expected to drop to minus 17°C. The government has mobilized over 12,000 rescuers, and nearly 22,000 disaster relief items, including winter clothing and tents, have been dispatched to assist the survivors.

China’s central government has raised the emergency response level to the highest, Level I, and allocated significant funds to support relief efforts. The country’s Ministry of Finance and Emergency Management have allocated 100 million yuan (approximately 13.9 million USD) for disaster recovery, while the Red Cross Society of China has initiated an emergency response to send additional supplies to the affected region.

The quake’s epicenter lies near Mount Qomolangma (Mount Everest), with no reports of damage to the nearby tourist area or the Tashilhunpo Monastery. Telecommunications have been restored in the three hardest-hit townships. The government’s priority remains the rescue of trapped victims and the provision of shelter and essential supplies to those affected by the disaster.