Reported By Kelsang Jinpa
Translated By TenGyal
Rescue operations persist in southern Latoe following the devastating earthquake that struck Dhingri County, yet many affected villages remain without critical assistance. Exacerbating the crisis, residents report being subjected to directives that forcibly restrict them from sharing information about the situation with the outside world.
At approximately 9:05 AM on January 7, a powerful earthquake with a magnitude of 7.1 on the Richter scale struck the Shigatse region, located within the area designated by the Chinese government as the Tibetan Autonomous Region (TAR). The devastating quake caused significant damage to lives and property in Dhingri, Sakya, Lhatse, and Ngamring counties, among other affected areas.
Even as these affected areas grappled with the aftermath of the devastation, the very following day, local Chinese government officials announced that they would stop any relief or assistance from other regions. Moreover, internet access in Dhingri County has been tightly controlled, with residents prohibited from sharing photos or videos. Strict directives have also been issued, barring them from contacting the outside world. Meanwhile, many areas continue to struggle, as they remain without much-needed relief aid and assistance.
Sources interviewed by reporter, both within and outside Tibet, have disclosed a stark disparity in relief efforts following the earthquake with its epic centre in Tsogo Township. While the Chinese government has widely publicized its ongoing rescue and recovery operations in Tsogo, other hard-hit areas such as Damtso, Nyishar, Ngamrim, and Nyishar remain critically underserved. Reports indicate that in Damtso County, particularly in the regions of Gorung and the Phug Monastery, numerous fatalities have occurred, yet no aid orassistance has reached the affected communities.
A local Tibetan from Dhingri, who wished to remain anonymous, said “Seven people have lost their lives in our village. Many homes have been damaged or destroyed. Yet, we have no one to turn to for aid or assistance. We are trying to set up tents to sleep outdoors at night, fearing another earthquake could strike. However, there weren’t enough tents for everyone, so some villagers decided to travel to other areas to buy them. Unfortunately, they were stopped by the police and prevented from leaving. We’ve also been instructed not to share videos, photos, or contact anyone outside for help.”
According to our gathered information, the region of Latoe in western Tibet is divided into southern and northern areas. In southern Latoe, Dhingri County consists of approximately 20 townships and villages. The recent earthquake primarily impacted four locations within the county: Tsogo, Tsolho, Damtso, and Nyishar. Among these, Tsogo was the hardest hit, suffering the most severe damage. In the northern region of Latoe, the earthquake has devastated the counties of Sakya, Tingkye, Ngamrim, and Lhatse, as many other affected areas in the same region remain without access to aid or assistance.
As of this morning, the Chinese government’s official report states that 126 people have lost their lives, 188 have been injured, and 3,609 houses and properties have been destroyed in the disaster. However, a Tibetan source inside Tibet informed that rescue efforts or assistance have yet to reach Gurung village in Damtso, where numerous fatalities have reportedly occurred. Similarly, many other affected areas have not received aid or assistance. In Lhatse, two deaths have been officially reported, but the source said that the actual number of fatalities is significantly higher, with the Chinese government concealing the true figures.
