The extensive nationwide response to Tuesday's deadly earthquake in southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region has helped bring a sense of calm to worried families while communications have been restored, according to a Xizang resident who has been touch with colleagues based in the worst-hit areas.
The 6.8-magnitude quake struck Dingri County in the city of Xigaze at 09:05 Tuesday, leaving 126 people dead and 188 others injured. It also toppled over 3,600 houses.
After more than 10,000 rescuers have combed through the rubble, the initial search and rescue response has now concluded, as attention now turns to the post-disaster aftermath work.
Speaking in an interview with the China Global Television Network (CGTN) on Wednesday, Xizang resident Norbu Dramdu said the company he works for is located in the quake-hit area and he has been in regular contact with his colleagues who live in the disaster zone.
He said that the scale and speed of the emergency response, which saw personnel dispatched from all across China to aid the efforts, has helped reassure concerned local people amid the ongoing relief operation.
"We're having a lot of different kinds of support from everywhere in China, especially the people from the military side, they're sending hundreds of people, like the medical people, they are sending there to rescue the people who are living there. At the very beginning, when they (my colleagues) were thinking of leaving the company and going to their home, they were very much worried. But now, when I call them again, after seeing those news, after they see those caring people all around, I can hear from their voice, they're very much like, very calm," he said.
A total of 407 trapped people have been rescued from the rubble of the disaster-hit areas, and authorities are now ensuring the proper resettlement of affected residents, with temporary housing being erected and essential supplies delivered to protect people from the freezing temperatures.
Meanwhile, the prompt completion of repair work on damaged roads, and the restoration of telecommunications systems and power supplies has also been basically completed in the quake-hit region, allowing Dramdu to stay in touch with his colleagues.
"The telecommunication is excellent at this moment, under this condition. And then I can contact them anytime. They keep sending me those videos that they see when they're on their way to their home. And then the people in my team, when they're getting there, it didn't take that much long [time to travel]," he said.
With an average altitude of 4,500 meters, Dingri County is home to the northern base camp of Mount Qomolangma, the world's highest peak. With a population of over 60,000, the county is one of the most populous border counties in Xizang. There are 27 villages and about 6,900 people within a 20-km radius of the epicenter.
More than 14,600 people, including firefighters, soldiers, police officers and professional rescuers, joined the rescue operation. According to the Xigaze city government, over 46,500 affected residents have been relocated to 187 resettlement sites, with 3,705 tents set up.
Nationwide support appreciated by residents in quake-hit areas of Xizang
Witness appreciates nationwide efforts following Xizang 6.8-magnitude quake
Witness appreciates nationwide efforts following Xizang 6.8-magnitude quake
