Authorities respond swiftly after Xizang earthquake

In the wake of the 6.8 magnitude earthquake that struck Dingri county in the Xizang autonomous region on Tuesday, China launched a comprehensive and rapid response to ensure the timely delivery of aid and restore critical infrastructure.

The Ministry of Transport immediately activated emergency protocols to clear damaged roads and coordinate relief efforts, while Air China played a key role in providing airlift support to the region, ensuring essential personnel and supplies reached the hardest-hit areas without delay.

By Wednesday morning, all seven affected national and provincial highways had been cleared, with transportation routes restored to facilitate emergency response. Although rural roads experienced varying degrees of damage, some critical sections in the area have been cleared, enabling emergency vehicles to pass freely, the ministry said.

The ministry swiftly set up a dedicated earthquake disaster relief team led by senior officials, to focus on coordinating efforts to clear transportation routes and facilitate relief work. Experts in fields including bridges, roads, geology and pavements were sent to the affected areas to provide on-site guidance for road clearance and post-disaster reconstruction.

The ministry also allocated emergency funds for road recovery efforts and mobilized resources from neighboring provinces and central enterprises to support the disaster response.

The ministry said they will continue to closely monitor post-earthquake transportation conditions, enhancing coordination and ensuring comprehensive logistical support.

Air rescue and relief efforts have been equally swift. In line with guidance of the Civil Aviation Administration of China, earthquake relief operations in the civil aviation sector are being carried out smoothly and methodically.

On Tuesday, a total of 11 flights were arranged to support the disaster relief effort, including 5 commercial airliner flights, 2 military flights, 3 general aviation flights and 1 emergency drone flight, transporting 128 people. On Wednesday, it is anticipated that 10 relief flights will be conducted, with 170 people and 25.6 metric tons of supplies being delivered to affected areas, according to the administration.

At 2:49 pm on Tuesday, about five and a half hours after the earthquake, Air China's CA4431 flight, the first flight after the earthquake, landed safely at Dingri Airport in Shigatse, delivering disaster relief personnel and supplies.

On Wednesday, Air China dispatched a special disaster relief flight, CA049, from Lhasa to Dingri at 8:13 am. The flight carried 42 airport support staff for subsequent operations, ensuring full logistical support for ongoing rescue missions. The aircraft landed at 9:10 am.

Air China promptly activated its emergency response plan and established an aviation task force for earthquake relief, focusing on coordinating rescue flights, arranging backup flight crews and managing passenger changes and cancellations, according to the company.

The airline also coordinated with local authorities to ensure sufficient flight capacity to support relief operations in the earthquake zone. In addition to logistical support, the airline arranged for essential resources such as oxygen bottles and meal services for incoming flights.

The magnitude 6.8 earthquake struck Dingri county of Shigatse in Xizang at 9:05 am on Tuesday at a depth of 10 kilometers. By 7 pm Tuesday, a total of 126 people had been confirmed dead and 188 were injured.