Rescuers search for survivors in Tibet as earthquake aftershocks continue

The magnitude 6.8 earthquake registered yesterday Tuesday in Tibet and which, according to the authorities’ latest report, has caused at least 126 deaths, 188 injuries and more than 30,000 evacuees, provided that it already leaves more than 500 aftershocks on Tuesday .

As of 8 a.m. local time on Wednesday (1 a.m. in Euskal Herria), 515 aftershocks have been recorded from the earthquake, which occurred on Tuesday at 9:05 a.m. local time (2:05 a.m. in Euskal Herria) in Tingri province. According to the China Seismological Networks Center, Shigatse Prefecture is located at a depth of 10 kilometers. The epicenter was approximately 85 kilometers from Mount Everest and is closed to the public until further notice to ensure the safety of visitors and staff.

From the 515 replicas24 have had a magnitude between 3 and 3.9, while three of them have exceeded 4 degrees of magnitude, with a maximum of 4.4.

The earthquake caused the collapse of at least 3,609 houses, from which 407 trapped people were rescued, the official Xinhua agency said Tuesday evening.

Rescue teams are also working around the clock to set up tents for displaced civilians in an area where temperatures are expected to drop to 17 degrees below zero.

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Tuesday called for “comprehensive efforts to save lives and minimize casualties,” while calling for work to “prevent secondary disasters” and “properly resettle affected residents ”.

Chinese authorities have urgently allocated 100 million yuan (13.1 million euros) to help with disaster relief.

Tingri County, with a population density of 4.2 inhabitants per square kilometer, is located at the foot of the Himalayas and has an average altitude of 5,000 meters above sea level, according to official information from the local government. Although it is an area with a very low population density, approximately 6,900 people live within a 20 kilometer radius of the epicenter.