China sends thousands of military personnel to quake-hit zone in Tibet

Chinese Armed Forces have sent around 2,000 military personnel to the disaster zone in the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR), where a devastating earthquake occurred.

According to the Western Theater Command (WTC) of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA), more than 1,600 soldiers and officers, as well as over 380 militia members, arrived in the city of Shigatse, where significant seismic activity was recorded. They have swiftly begun conducting search and rescue operations, per Caliber.Az.

In addition to the military personnel, the combat command zone provided around 3,000 sets of equipment for setup, including tents, folding beds, generators, more than 2,500 sleeping bags, blankets, and padded jackets.

According to PLA calculations, over 30 victims have already been rescued. More than 1,200 people have been evacuated from hazardous areas. Search efforts continue under the rubble, and work is underway to clear the roads.

To recall, at least 126 people were confirmed dead and 188 others injured on the January 7 morning earthquake that struck rural, high-altitude Tingri county, about 80 kilometres (50 miles) north of Mount Everest near China's border with Nepal.

More than 3,600 houses have collapsed and over 30,000 residents have been relocated, the official Xinhua news agency said, adding that the search for trapped victims is ongoing.

Authorities said more than 12,000 people, including firefighters, soldiers, police officers and professional rescuers had been deployed.

Aid including tents, quilts and cold-weather equipment had been dispatched by central authorities, it added.

By Khagan Isayev