Three critically-injured victims of Tuesday's deadly earthquake in a remote county of southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region have been transferred to a leading hospital in the regional capital Lhasa City, where a team of specialists have been working to deliver the best possible care.
The 6.8-magnitude earthquake struck Dingri County in the city of Xigaze at 09:05 on Tuesday, causing at least 126 deaths and 188 injuries, while over 3,600 houses have collapsed.
Among the injured, three patients in critical conditions were transferred to the People's Hospital of Xizang. All three are elderly, with two suffering serious spinal injuries, as well as fractures and dislocations of the cervical vertebrae. Upon arrival, a multidisciplinary team of experts convened to assess the patients' conditions and formulate treatment plans.
"This critically-inured patient was transferred from quake-hit area with fractures and dislocation at the sixth and seventh cervical vertebrae. We gathered experts from various specialties, including respiratory, neurology, orthopedics, anesthesia, and imaging, as well as specialists from Peking University Health Science Center and Peking Union Medical College Hospital, to conduct an urgent consultation and evaluate the patient's condition to ensure the best possible outcome," said Kelsong Norbu, vice president of the hospital.
Currently, two of the patients have undergone surgery and are stable in the intensive care unit (ICU), while the third is receiving conservative treatment.
To manage the transfer and treatment of critically injured patients, the People's Hospital of Xizang has established emergency teams to assess patients prior to them reaching the hospital through setting up greater logistical support, and has taken steps to strengthen resources by ensuring sufficient emergency beds and activating a green channel to deliver rapid treatment.
Critically-injured quake victims receive specialist emergency care in Lhasa
As the Qingming Festival approaches this Friday, various traditional folk activities have been held across China, celebrating the rich cultural heritage of the occasion.
With a 2,500-year history, Qingming Festival, or the Festival of Pure Brightness, observed in early April, uniquely combines ancestral worship with the celebration of spring. Falling on the 15th day after the spring equinox, this ritual-rich observance reflects China's enduring values of ancestral veneration and inspires deep introspection about what gives life meaning.
In Sijia Village, Huayin City, northwest China’s Shaanxi Province, a unique swing festival is held to mark the occasion. Eighteen different types of traditional swings, such as the spinning wheel swing, the Bagua swing reminiscent of a rotating carousel, and the balance swing designed for two people, have attracted many visitors.
Historically, Sijia Village served as a military post guarding the strategic Tongguan pass, a former mountain pass and fortress located south of the confluence of the Wei and Yellow Rivers. The swing tradition in the village has its origins in military training exercises like climbing and river crossing. The local swing culture further developed as regional trade flourished, eventually evolving into the "swing festival" that continues today.
"It's very exciting and tests your skill, endurance, and most importantly, your arm strength. You need to maintain balance," said Qu Xiangyang, a visitor.
In Rudong County, Nantong City, east China's Jiangsu Province, another traditional Qingming activity takes place - kite flying.
Flying kites as a way of making wishes is an age-old Qingming custom in this region. As a result, the Qingming Festival in Nantong is also known as the "Kite Festival."
The local Banyao whistling kite making skills is listed as one of the first national intangible cultural heritage items.
According to a folk culture expert, people traditionally write the names of diseases or misfortunes on paper, attach it to a kite, and release it into the sky. This practice is believed to drive away illness and disaster, while also serving as a way to make wishes.
In south China's Guangdong Province, a large tug-of-war competition is underway in Maoming City. Teams from different towns and streets are competing, attracting many locals to cheer on their teams.
Tug-of-war, which originated during the late Spring and Autumn period (770 BC - 476 BC), became part of Qingming customs during the Tang Dynasty (618-907). Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty once organized large-scale tug-of-war competitions for the festival.
"Tug-of-war became very popular in the Tang Dynasty, even emerging as the national sport. It originated in the Jingchu region and later spread across the country. In ancient Lingnan (Southern China), tug-of-war games were a common tradition. Through these events, people seek to pray for peace, prosperity, and abundant harvests," said Yao Guojun, vice dean of the College of Arts and Law, Guangdong University of Petrochemical Technology.
Traditional folk activities held for Qingming Festival
