Daijiworld Media Network - Tibet
Tibet, Oct 24: A 4.5-magnitude earthquake struck Tibet in China on Saturday morning, two days after a powerful earthquake killed at least 16 people and injured 76 in the region. The latest tremor was an aftershock of the earlier earthquake, according to reports.
According to India's National Centre for Seismology (NCS), the aftershock occurred at a latitude of 31.485 degrees north and a longitude of 93.528 degrees east, at a depth of 10 kilometres. No casualties or damage have been reported so far, although the tremor reportedly triggered panic among local residents.
Chinese authorities have not yet issued an official statement on the latest aftershock. Rescue and relief operations, however, continue in the earthquake-hit region as emergency teams search for survivors and provide assistance to affected residents.
Authorities have deployed drones, unmanned aerial vehicles and satellite technology to support search-and-rescue operations. More than 12,000 people have reportedly been evacuated from affected areas to ensure their safety.
Relief supplies have also been dispatched to the affected communities. These include 1,000 sets of prefabricated houses, 3,239 tents, 2,821 folding beds and 4,280 quilts to provide temporary shelter and essential assistance to displaced residents.
According to the Associated Press, Chinese President Xi Jinping is monitoring the ongoing search-and-rescue operations and has directed officials to make every effort to minimise casualties. He has also called for proper accommodation for those displaced by the earthquake and instructed authorities to closely monitor seismic activity in the region.
The earlier earthquake, which struck on Thursday, measured around 7.0 magnitude and occurred at a shallow depth of less than 10 kilometres, according to the reports. It caused widespread damage in Baqen County in Nagqu city, a remote area of Tibet. Authorities have confirmed at least 16 deaths and 76 injuries.
China's official news agency Xinhua reported that the earthquake severely disrupted communications in parts of the affected region. Railway authorities were forced to suspend train services through the affected area as a precautionary measure.
The earthquake also triggered rockfalls, forcing authorities to close a section of National Highway 317. Officials have been monitoring road conditions and assessing the damage to infrastructure while rescue teams continue their operations.
Tibet and the surrounding region are seismically active, with a history of powerful earthquakes. Since 1900, the area has experienced six earthquakes measuring magnitude 7 or above, including the latest tremor. One of the strongest recorded earthquakes was a magnitude 7.5 quake that struck Shuanghu on November 8, 1997.
Authorities continue to monitor the situation as rescue and relief efforts remain underway in the earthquake-affected areas.