Beijing, China – A magnitude 5 earthquake struck Tibet on Thursday, according to the German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ). The GFZ reported that the quake occurred at a depth of 10 kilometers (6.21 miles). This earthquake comes as intensive rescue and relief efforts continue in Tibet following devastating floods that recently struck the region near the Gyirong border crossing with Nepal.
Reuters reported that Chinese authorities successfully reopened the only road leading to the crossing on Wednesday. This comes after flash floods washed away sections of the road, allowing heavy rescue vehicles to reach the disaster zone for the first time. The extensive damage to the G216 national highway had previously forced authorities to airdrop supplies and rescue equipment. Meanwhile, other teams relied on arduous mountain trails to reach the affected areas.
The number of victims and missing persons of various nationalities
In terms of human casualties, the official death toll in China from these floods reached 21 as of Wednesday. Additionally, 541 people remain missing, according to Reuters.
Field challenges and ongoing landslide risks
Rescue teams continue to face formidable challenges on the ground due to heavy rains, unstable rocky slopes, and the rapid flow of water in the narrow mountain valley. Although authorities have confirmed that the lakes upstream, which are under close monitoring, are no longer at risk, the danger of further landslides remains. This threatens the safety of those working in the field.
