Tragic earthquake in Tibet: over 120 dead and cold emergency shelters!

Tragic earthquake in Tibet: over 120 dead and cold emergency shelters!

Tingri, China - A devastating earthquake shaked Tibet and left a tragic balance. In the Tingri region, about 80 kilometers north of Mount Everest, at least 126 people were killed and hundreds were injured when the quake on Tuesday fell the infrastructure into chaos. According to the head of the civil protection authority, Hong Li, more than 3,600 houses have collapsed, which dramatically tightens the situation for the approximately 62,000 affected inhabitants. Only 187 emergency accommodations have been set up to offer around 46,500 people a safe accommodation. The cold of the Himalaya region, with temperatures that decrease up to minus 16 degrees, also challenges the rescue work, such as The Tages-Einsiger . UN General Secretary António Guterres commented on the many fatalities and offered support, while the Dalai Lama also expressed his sympathy for the families concerned.

rescue measures and challenges

Currently, around 12,000 rescue workers are fighting against the icy conditions to find further survivors and ensure the necessary care. The cold weather, combined with the poor infrastructure of the affected region, significantly makes the auxiliary measures considerably more difficult. Many of the collapsed houses were built from traditional materials such as stones and clay tiles and could not withstand the strong earthquake. The security situation is tense because a rapid provision of tent accommodation, blankets and warm clothes is essential to help the people affected.