Death toll in Xizang quake rises to 95 as rescue work continues

At least 95 people are confirmed to have died while 130 others have been injured after a 6.8-magnitude earthquake hit southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region on Tuesday morning.

Rescue efforts are ongoing after the quake jolted Dingri County of Xigaze City at 09:05 on Tuesday, with the epicenter located in the Tsogo Township.

Liu Huazhong, the deputy mayor of Xigaze, gave the latest update on casualty numbers and detailed the emergency response work at a press briefing, confirming that 95 people had lost their lives as of 15:00 local time.

In response to the disaster, Liu said Xigaze authorities have activated a level-I emergency response, the highest level, and swiftly deployed over 3,400 rescuers, including firefighters, armed police officers, and military personnel, along with more than 150 vehicles and other rescue equipment, to aid in the search and rescue operations in the affected areas.

Additionally, over 340 medical workers have been sent to the quake zone to treat the injured and assist those who may be trapped, he added.

Earlier on Tuesday, Chinese President Xi Jinping ordered all-out rescue efforts to save lives and treat the injured, while urging steps to prevent possible secondary disasters, properly resettle the affected residents, and handle the aftermath work effectively.

Chinese Premier Li Qiang also urged efforts to swiftly check the disaster situation and said that since the quake-stricken area is located in a cold plateau region, every possible means should be employed to ensure the basic livelihood of the affected people and help them stay warm during the winter.

"We will spare no efforts to conduct thorough searches for trapped people, provide medical care for the injured, offer essential relief support, and ensure the basic needs of affected residents, as well as do a good job in the aftermath work," said Liu.

Death toll in Xizang quake rises to 95 as rescue work continues

Death toll in Xizang quake rises to 95 as rescue work continues

Death toll in Xizang quake rises to 95 as rescue work continues

A group of 30 young people from Taiwan, organized by the Ma Ying-jeou Culture and Education Foundation, have recently attended a series of Confucian cultural events in east China's Shandong Province, contributing to strengthening communication between young people from the mainland and Taiwan, and helping promote cross-Strait relations.

On Monday, the 2025 Cross-Strait Confucius Cultural Spring Gathering opened in Qufu City of Shandong, the birthplace of Confucius. The youth delegation, along with Hsiao Hsu-tsen, executive director of the foundation, attended the launch ceremony.

On Tuesday morning, the delegation watched a Confucius memorial ceremony at the city's Temple of Confucius, where they offered floral baskets and recited classical texts to honor the ancient Chinese philosopher.

Confucius (551 BC - 479 BC) was ancient China’s most famous teacher, philosopher and political theorist, whose ideas have profoundly influenced the civilizations of China and other East Asian countries.

Kung Tsui-chang, a direct 79th-generation descendant of Confucius from Taiwan who also traveled with the youth delegation, expressed his hope that similar cultural exchanges would help strengthen ties between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait.

"The youths from Taiwan and the mainland performed the rituals and played the ritual music together. This cultural resonance transcends language and is the most vivid explanation of our shared cultural root. I believe that by sustained cultural dialogue, compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Straits, while jointly safeguarding the common cultural root, will enhance mutual understanding, build consensus, and inject more positive energy into cross-Strait peace and national rejuvenation," said Kung, also president of the Confucius Foundation.

During their stay in Shandong, the delegation also participated in other exchange activities in the cities of Tai'an, Qingdao, Zaozhuang, and Jinan.

Taiwan's youth delegation attends Confucian cultural events in mainland