Rescue and relief efforts continue after Xizang earthquake kills 16

Dragon Media News Desk

Rescue and relief operations are continuing after a magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck Baqen County in Nagqu, Xizang Autonomous Region, late Thursday. The earthquake killed 16 people and injured 76. It damaged or destroyed 339 homes and affected 20 livestock sheds, local authorities said.

By 11 a.m. Saturday, all 76 injured people were receiving medical treatment. Five of the 11 people initially classified as seriously injured had improved to mild conditions, according to the local emergency command headquarters.

A total of 52,450 relief items or sets had reached the affected area, and more than 2,500 rescue personnel were deployed. Supplies included 4,651 tents, 2,000 prefabricated houses, 11,772 folding beds and 5,715 quilts. A large Wing Loong unmanned aerial vehicle also arrived at the site.

Authorities established 35 temporary resettlement sites. More than 1,600 personnel from Baqen County, 347 firefighters from the Nagqu fire and rescue detachment, and 530 police officers were deployed. Medical treatment and public health measures, including epidemic prevention, were continuing in an orderly manner.

By 9:45 a.m. Saturday, 834 aftershocks had been recorded. Eight measured between 4.0 and 4.9 magnitude, and 31 measured between 3.0 and 3.9.