Earthquake Near Shigatse Kills 126, Triggers Massive Relief Efforts \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Rescue efforts in western China shifted to rebuilding and resettling survivors after a powerful earthquake struck near Shigatse, Tibet, killing 126 and injuring 188. Relief items, including tents and stoves, were distributed to displaced residents as Tibetan communities worldwide held vigils for victims. The earthquake, recorded at magnitude 7.1, destroyed thousands of homes and prompted calls for swift reconstruction ahead of the harsh winter.
Relief Efforts and Cultural Response: Quick Looks
- Casualties and Damage: The quake killed 126, injured 188, and destroyed over 3,600 homes.
- Displaced Population: Over 46,000 people relocated as relief supplies were distributed.
- Global Tibetan Vigils: Communities in India and Nepal held prayers and marches.
- Geopolitical Tensions: Tibetan and Chinese political divides surfaced during the tragedy.
- Reconstruction Push: Chinese officials pledged to accelerate recovery ahead of winter.
Deep Look: Tibet Earthquake Response Focuses on Relief, Reconstruction, and Global Solidarity
A powerful earthquake near Shigatse, Tibet, has left western China grappling with the aftermath of one of the deadliest natural disasters in recent years. The quake, which struck Tuesday with a magnitude of 7.1 according to the U.S. Geological Survey (6.8 by Chinese authorities), caused widespread destruction, killing 126 people, injuring 188, and displacing tens of thousands. Relief efforts have now shifted to resettling survivors as Tibetan communities worldwide mourn the victims.
The Earthquake and Immediate Impact
The earthquake’s epicenter was located approximately 25 kilometers (15 miles) from Shigatse, Tibet’s second-largest city and home to the Tashi Lhunpo Monastery, the traditional seat of the Panchen Lama, Tibetan Buddhism’s second-highest figure. The tremors, felt as far as Nepal, caused widespread panic and forced thousands from their homes.
More than 500 aftershocks followed the initial quake, which struck just 75 kilometers (50 miles) from Mount Everest and the Nepalese border. In Nepal, the shaking sent residents fleeing their homes, though no major damage was reported.
The devastation in Shigatse included the collapse of over 3,600 homes. Entire villages, including Gurum, were reduced to rubble. Tsering Phuntsog, Communist Party chief of Gurum, reported that 22 of the village’s 222 residents had died, including his mother.
“Even young people couldn’t run out of the houses when the earthquake hit, let alone old people and children,” Phuntsog told Xinhua, underscoring the scale of the tragedy.
Relief and Resettlement Efforts
Relief teams in Tibet quickly pivoted from search-and-rescue operations to resettling the more than 46,000 people displaced by the disaster. State media showed workers erecting rows of padded, weather-resistant tents equipped with metal frames to house survivors. Temperatures in the high-altitude region, averaging 4,200 meters (13,800 feet), regularly drop below freezing overnight.
The Chinese government is delivering essential supplies, including quilts, stoves, and food. Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing, who visited affected areas, called for an acceleration of post-disaster reconstruction to ensure survivors are warm and safe before winter sets in.
“Tents and immediate relief are vital right now, but long-term recovery is just as critical,” said Hong Li, director of Tibet’s Emergency Management Department.
Global Vigils and Political Undercurrents
The tragedy resonated far beyond China’s borders, with Tibetan communities in exile organizing vigils in neighboring countries.
In Dharamshala, India, home to the Dalai Lama, about 200 Tibetans held a candlelight march, chanting prayers and carrying banners calling for aid. The Dalai Lama, who fled Tibet in 1959 during a Chinese crackdown, announced plans to lead a prayer ceremony for the victims.
Nepal also saw expressions of solidarity, as 50 Tibetans gathered at a monastery in Kathmandu to pray for the deceased. “We are praying for the souls of so many people who lost their lives in Tibet because of the earthquake yesterday,” said Riya Tamang, a shopkeeper who joined the vigil.
The Tibetan diaspora’s response highlighted enduring tensions between China and followers of the Dalai Lama. China’s Foreign Ministry dismissed the Dalai Lama’s involvement as a “separatist political scheme” but expressed confidence in the Communist Party’s leadership during the crisis.
Geological and Historical Context
Earthquakes are common on the Tibetan Plateau, a seismically active region. Tuesday’s quake, however, was especially devastating due to its proximity to densely populated areas. Shigatse, known locally as Xigaze, sprawls across a high-altitude plain, making it vulnerable to tremors.
The disaster is reminiscent of other deadly earthquakes in China, such as the 2008 Sichuan earthquake, which killed nearly 90,000 people. Experts noted that Tibet’s remote location and high elevation pose additional challenges for relief and reconstruction.
Political Divisions Amid Tragedy
The earthquake also brought renewed focus to the contested position of the Panchen Lama, whose Tashi Lhunpo Monastery is in Shigatse. The Dalai Lama-appointed Panchen Lama disappeared in the 1990s, allegedly abducted by Chinese authorities, who later installed their own candidate.
The current Panchen Lama’s whereabouts during the earthquake were not immediately confirmed. The Chinese government’s promotion of their chosen Panchen Lama remains a point of contention for Tibetan Buddhists.
A Push for Recovery
Despite political tensions, recovery efforts in Tibet are moving forward. Rescue workers continue to clear debris and deliver aid to affected areas. Footage from Chinese state media showed rows of disaster tents with bright red flags, signaling the government’s commitment to the region.
The focus now turns to long-term reconstruction. Officials hope to rebuild stronger, more resilient housing to prevent such catastrophic losses in future earthquakes.
For many survivors, the road to recovery will be long. As prayers continue around the world, Tibetans both inside and outside of China hope for a future free of such tragedies.
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