Tibet Earthquake Death Toll Increases To 126 People, President Xi Orders Maximum Rescue Efforts

Rescuers at the location of the Tibet earthquake. (Source: Xinhua)

JAKARTA - Chinese President Xi Jinping ordered maximum rescue efforts followed by increased earthquake monitoring and early warning efforts, as the death toll from the Tibetan earthquake increased to more than 120 people.

An earthquake measuring 6.8 on the Richter scale with an epicenter in Tingri, Tibet occurred at 09:05 a.m. local time at a depth of 10 km (6.2 miles), according to the Chinese Earthquake Network Center.

Meanwhile, the US Geological Service stated that the earthquake had a magnitude of 7.1 on the Richter scale. The earthquake was also felt in several areas in India, Nepal, and Tibet.

China's Xinhua news agency on Wednesday reported that the death toll from yesterday's earthquake increased to 126 people, while injured victims reached 188 people, as quoted January 8.

The epicenter of the 6.8 magnitude earthquake is about 80 km (50 miles) north of Mount Everest, the world's highest mountain. The impact was felt throughout the Shigatse region of Tibet, which is inhabited by 800,000 people. The region is managed from the City of Shigatse, the traditional residence of Panchen Lama, one of the most important figures in Tibetn Buddhism.

Many houses in the city of Shigatse were destroyed to the rubble, a video released by Tibet Fire and Rescue showed. Rescue workers searched through the rubble of the destroyed house and removed one injured person, as shown.

The local city government said initial data collection showed around 3,609 collapse due to the earthquake.

Meanwhile, around 407 people who had been trapped were rescued and 30,000 affected residents had been relocated.

The search for trapped victims is still ongoing. Rescue teams are also racing against time to set up tents for relocated residents in areas whose temperatures are expected to drop to minus 17 degrees Celsius.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has ordered search and rescue efforts to be carried out optimally to minimize casualties and to re-imulate the affected people.

The Secretary-General of the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party also ordered the immediate allocation of disaster aid supplies, accelerating repair of damaged infrastructure, ensuring basic population needs are met, ensuring a safe and warm winter for all.

He also emphasized the prevention of aftershocks, as well as the importance of strengthening the earthquake monitoring and early warning system.

Separately, the Dalai Lama, the Tibetan spiritual leader who fled to India, expressed his sadness over this natural disaster and offered prayers for the victims.

"I offer prayers for those who have lost their lives and wish me hope that all those injured will recover soon," the Nobel Peace Prize laureate said in a message.