Tibet earthquake… teams struggle to save lives amid massive destruction and extreme cold

Rescue workers in the high-altitude, cold-weather region of Tibet in western China on Wednesday continued searching for more survivors and victims, a day after a powerful earthquake destroyed thousands of homes and killed at least 126 people.
Tents, blankets and other relief items are being delivered to provide shelter to those whose homes have become uninhabitable or unsafe.
Temperatures dropped significantly below zero overnight in an area with an average altitude of about 4,200 metres.

Numbers of victims

As of Tuesday evening, the confirmed number of victims stood at 126 dead, while 188 others were injured.
The earthquake occurred about 75 kilometers from Mount Everest and the border with Nepal, prompting residents to flee their homes in the capital, Kathmandu.
The official Chinese news agency (Xinhua), citing the Shigatze city government, reported that more than 3,600 homes collapsed, according to a preliminary survey, and 30,000 residents were moved to safer areas.

China Central Television reported that the Ministry of Emergency Management deployed 1,850 rescue workers on the ground, along with firefighters and other specialized teams.
More than 500 aftershocks were recorded following the earthquake, which the US Geological Survey said had a magnitude of 7.1, while the Chinese Earthquake Center estimated its intensity at 6.8.