Extreme urgency in minus 18 C for the 14,000 rescuers in Tibet searched for 400 earthquake victims trapped under rubble
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Chinese officials reported on Wednesday on Jan 11 that more than 400 people trapped under rubble in earthquake-stricken Tibet had been rescued. However, an unknown number remained unaccounted for as freezing weather persisted a day after the powerful tremor shook the Himalayan foothills.
The epicenter of the magnitude 6.8 earthquake on January 7 was one of the region's strongest in recent years. It was located in Tingri, Tibet, approximately 80 km (50 miles) north of Mount Everest, the tallest mountain in the world. The quake also caused buildings to sway in neighbouring Nepal, Bhutan, and India.
Searched through an enormous area
A day after the quake, those trapped under debris faced a night in sub-zero temperatures, adding urgency to rescue efforts throughout an area roughly the size of Cambodia.
State television CCTV aired footage showing families sheltered in rows of blue and green tents rapidly set up by soldiers and aid workers in areas surrounding the epicenter, where hundreds of aftershocks have been recorded.
At least 126 fatalities and 188 injuries have been reported on the Tibetan side, according to state broadcaster CCTV. No deaths have been confirmed in Nepal or other regions.
According to Reuters.com, twenty-four hours after the quake struck, temperatures in the high-altitude region would have been as low as -18 degrees Celsius (0 degrees Fahrenheit) at night. People trapped or those without shelter risked rapid hypothermia, potentially surviving only five to ten hours even if uninjured, experts said.
Photo Credit: Wikipedia Commons License
By China News Service, CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=157605573
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The earthquake's impact extended beyond Tibet, with tremors felt in neighboring countries. In Nepal, 13 individuals sustained injuries, and property damage was reported. The quake also caused avalanches near Mount Everest's base camp on the Nepalese side. In India, particularly in the state of Bihar, several homes experienced minor damage.
Rescue operations have been challenging due to the region's high altitude and freezing temperatures, with some areas experiencing lows of -18°C (0°F). Despite these conditions, over 14,000 rescuers have been deployed, successfully rescuing more than 400 individuals. Efforts are ongoing to provide survivors with essential supplies, including tents, quilts, and stoves, to combat the harsh environment.
The earthquake has underscored the seismic vulnerability of the Himalayan region, which has a history of significant seismic activity. This event serves as a stark reminder of the potential for large-scale natural disasters in this area.
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Urgency mounts in search for survivors of powerful Tibet earthquake
Tents arrive for survivors of a quake that killed 126 in freezing, high-altitude Tibet