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

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Freezing fog shrouded Huma County in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province as the county experienced its lowest winter temperature on Saturday, dropping to minus 43.7 degrees Celsius.

The extreme cold weather led to moisture in the air condensing, causing significantly reduced visibility. By Saturday noon, visibility gradually improved.

The local meteorological department successively issued a blue alert for cold wave, a yellow alert for thick fog, and a yellow alert for icy roads.

The local heating department has adjusted the home heating temperature to ensure residents stay warm.

The local agricultural department has implemented temperature regulation measures to ensure the stable production and supply of food during winter.

The temperature in the county slightly increased on Monday, with the lowest temperature reaching minus 35 degrees Celsius.

Freezing fog falls on northern Chinese county on its coldest day of winter