A massive earthquake has killed over 100 people in Tibet and injured many more.
Videos by Wide Open Country
The powerful earthquake struck on Tuesday morning in Tibet's Dingri County at around 9 am. Dingri is home to over 60,000 people and rests on the northern slope of the Himalayas. The force of the quake was so severe tremors were also felt in India and Kathmandu in Nepal. Organizations even detected tremors on Mount Everest.
The quake's force was so severe that it leveled houses and reduced businesses to rubble. Roads around the region collapsed, and rescue teams are desperately trying to free villagers from the ruins.
Eyewitness footage compiled by On Demand News shows the full extent of the disaster. As buildings fell, the debris destroyed vehicles and the quake disrupted the region's water and power supplies. Many buildings that withstood the earthquake are cracked and damaged. Security video shows customers fleeing stores as they begin to shake violently.
According to the Daily Mail, the US Geological Society said the quake that hit Tibet near the border of Nepal had a magnitude of 7.1. Other organizations that monitor earthquakes say the magnitude was slightly lower, at 6.8. Authorities fear villages and homes in hard-to-reach areas near the quake's epicenter have also been destroyed. The outlet notes that authorities expect the death toll to rise sharply.
A Huge Support Effort Is Underway To Help Earthquake Victims
CCTV reports that Chinese President Xi Jinping has ordered an all-out rescue effort to save lives and minimize casualties. China has sent more than 12,000 aid workers, including firefighters and soldiers, to the quake site. Unfortunately, rescue workers face harsh conditions, particularly at night, when temperatures can drop as low as -18C.
According to CCTV, China's central authorities have sent over 20,000 disaster relief items to the region. These supplies include winter coats, quilts, and cotton tents. Authorities have also sent 'Special relief materials for high-altitude and frigid areas.'
The Red Cross Society of China is also adding to the support effort, sending thousands of items, including insulated jackets and folding beds. The outlet adds that authorities have restored telecommunications in three towns hit hardest by the quake.
