Over 1,000 aftershocks detected after Xizang 6.8-magnitude quake

A total of 1,095 aftershocks had been recorded as of 8:00 Thursday after a 6.8-magnitude earthquake jolted Dingri County in southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region on Tuesday morning, according to the China Earthquake Networks Center (CENC).

The powerful quake struck Dingri in Xigaze City at 9:05 a.m. Tuesday, with a depth of 10 km. The disaster has claimed at least 126 lives, injured 188 others, and caused the collapse of more than 3,600 houses as of Tuesday night.

Aftershocks include 804 below magnitude 2.0, 258 between magnitudes 2.0 and 2.9, 29 between magnitudes 3.0 and 3.9, and four between magnitudes 4.0 and 4.9. The strongest so far measured 4.4 in magnitude, occurring some 18 kilometers from the epicenter of the main quake.

The epicenter, located in Tsogo Township, is home to approximately 6,900 people across 27 villages within a 20-km radius. Dingri County, situated on the northern slope of the Himalayas, borders Nepal to the south and lies near the northern base camp of Mount Qomolangma, the world's highest peak.

To support rescue operation and disaster assessment, the Jilin-1 satellite was deployed to capture real-time images of the quake-hit areas.

In Tsogo Township, the epicenter, many traditional mud-brick homes were completely destroyed. High-resolution satellite images show widespread devastation, with houses reduced to rubble.

In Changsuo Township, satellite images reveal widespread damage to homes, which were mainly built with earth-and-wood structures known for their vulnerability to seismic activity. Villages such as Tonglai and Gadan witnessed significant destruction, with individuals trapped in fallen buildings. Some villagers' two-story homes collapsed partially, leaving only remnants of their upper walls.

Quelo Township also experienced severe devastation. Satellite comparisons show widespread structural failure in homes built with earth-and-wood materials. Rescue teams, including the People's Liberation Army, armed police, and firefighting units, rushed to Quelo to search for survivors. Local authorities have set up temporary shelters to house affected residents.

Over 1,000 aftershocks detected after Xizang 6.8-magnitude quake

Over 1,000 aftershocks detected after Xizang 6.8-magnitude quake

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