Rapid rescue efforts save lives after Xizang quake

In the aftermath of the devastating 6.8 magnitude earthquake that struck Xizang, the swift government action to rescue citizens in villages and Tibetan monasteries has ensured the safety of affected residents and helped preserve cultural heritage amidst the disaster recovery.

Tashi Wangla, the deputy commander of the front command of the Xizang fire and rescue corps for earthquake relief in Shigatse, praised the local government's ability to accurately assess populations in affected areas.

"The township level, the village-based official working team, the local police station and the township government had a clear understanding of the local population and could be contacted promptly and accurately," he said.

Guring village of Dingri county is among the most affected areas. By 11 am on Jan 7, just two hours after the quake, the first external support team had arrived. Within the first day, over 1,000 rescuers reached this village of about 200 people, while more than 12,000 responders were deployed across the region.

The quake's impact on Tibetan monasteries posed unique challenges. Tsogo Chode Monastery and the 600-year-old Zombo Monastery suffered extensive structural damage. Local officials, including monastic leaders like Tsewang Rigzin, Ngakwang Tsering and police officer Jamyang Phuntsok, acted swiftly to rescue the monks and nuns.

At Zombo Monastery, they found that most of the residences had collapsed, making it difficult to track the intermittent cries for help. They used mobile phones to determine the exact location of the buried individuals and manually dug through rubble for four hours.

Tashi Drolma, a monastery-based government official, confirmed that although over 80 percent of the monastery's structures collapsed, there were no casualties among the monks. "Thanks to the government, monks have been relocated to a safe resettlement near the monastery, and they were provided ample supplies, including tents, food, and heaters," she said.

"Next, we will begin to rebuild the monastery," she added.

Ngakwang Yontan, one of the 16 monks at Tsogo Chode Monastery, has been practicing his religion here for more than 20 years. He was in his house when the quake struck.

"Houses were shaking violently," he said. "Scriptures, books and quilts fell from the shelves, and the walls collapsed. I rushed outside quickly to avoid getting hurt."

"Village officials and monastic officials arrived at the monastery soon after the quake," said the 53-year-old. "They comforted me."

As reported by CGTN, rescue efforts following the 6.8 magnitude earthquake have been praised for their speed and efficiency. Most of the buried were pulled from the rubble within one day.

Local authorities confirmed to CGTN that all casualties from the earthquake had been identified within the first two days, and no missing persons were reported.

"Due to the small population in the disaster area and clear baseline, the search and rescue targets were clear," said Hao Tao, deputy director of the Xizang emergency management department. "The structures of residential houses in the disaster area are relatively simple, and therefore, there are no missing persons."