Beijing – In the wake of a devastating earthquake that struck western China near a significant site for Tibetan Buddhists, relief efforts have pivoted towards the resettlement of survivors. On Wednesday, rescue operations gave way to the urgent task of providing aid to those whose homes have been deemed unsafe or uninhabitable. According to state media, more than 46,000 individuals have been relocated following this tragedy, which resulted in the loss of 126 lives and left 188 others injured.
Communities of Tibetans living in India and Nepal, many of whom have escaped repression in China, organized vigils to honor the quake’s victims. The earthquake’s epicenter was situated in an outlying area of Shigatse, the second-largest city in Tibet, renowned as the traditional home of the Panchen Lama, the second most prominent figure in Tibetan Buddhism.
Speculation over the whereabouts of the Panchen Lama during the quake remains unresolved, as it is unclear whether he was present at his monastery. The earthquake’s epicenter was approximately 25 kilometers (15 miles) from the city, which is known as Xigaze in Chinese, located on a sprawling high-altitude plain. Following the earthquake, which the U.S. Geological Survey recorded at a magnitude of 7.1, over 500 aftershocks ensued. China’s own seismic center reported a magnitude of 6.8 for the initial quake.
Located about 75 kilometers (50 miles) from Mount Everest, the quake generated significant tremors that caused residents to flee their homes. Earthquakes within China are predominantly concentrated on the Tibetan Plateau and its adjacent regions. In Dharamshala, India, about 200 Tibetans participated in a candlelight march, chanting prayers and advocating for support for the victims of the earthquake. This city is widely recognized as the abode of the Dalai Lama, who has been a symbol of Tibetan Buddhism since fleeing Tibet in 1959 amid unrest against Chinese authority, which many believe has undermined Tibetan cultural and religious identity.
In Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal, another group of approximately 50 Tibetans gathered at a Buddhist monastery to pray for those who lost their lives in the earthquake. Riya Tamang, a local shop owner, expressed her grief, stating they were remembering the victims during this distressing time.
The ongoing contention between the Chinese government and the followers of the Dalai Lama over the Panchen Lama’s legitimacy remains unresolved, particularly after the disappearance of a boy selected by the Dalai Lama in the mid-1990s. The Chinese authorities subsequently endorsed a candidate of their choice for the position, a move the Dalai Lama has not acknowledged.
On his official website, the Dalai Lama shared plans to lead a prayer service for the earthquake victims on Thursday in Dharamshala. The Chinese Foreign Ministry’s spokesperson, Guo Jiakun, reacted to the announcement, reaffirming the government’s awareness of alleged separatist intentions, while expressing confidence in the ability of the affected regions to recover under the governance of the Communist Party.
State broadcaster CCTV showcased efforts to establish numerous tents equipped with metal frames and insulation to shelter survivors from the harsh cold in a region where temperatures can plummet below freezing at night. Hong Li, the head of Tibet’s Emergency Management Department, noted that efforts had effectively transitioned from rescue to resettlement and reconstruction.
Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing visited the affected survivors, emphasizing the urgent need for speedy reconstruction efforts to ensure that displaced communities remain safe and warm throughout the winter, according to the official news outlet Xinhua.
Earlier in the day, news footage displayed rescuers in bright orange outfits navigating the debris with search dogs, while disaster tents marked by prominent red Chinese flags stood in stark contrast against the destruction. According to local Communist Party leader Tsering Phuntsog, the village of Gurum tragically lost at least 22 of its 222 residents due to the earthquake, including the leader’s 74-year-old mother. He recounted how the quake struck so suddenly that even young residents were unable to escape their homes, highlighting the tragic impact on vulnerable populations.
A preliminary assessment estimated that over 3,600 houses had collapsed as a direct result of the quake, with reports attributed to the local government of Shigatse, further emphasizing the scale of the disaster.
Access to Tibet for foreign journalists is generally restricted, particularly concerning the sensitive issues surrounding the treatment of its residents by Chinese authorities.
