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 this reporter, both within and outside Tibet, have disclosed a stark disparity in relief efforts following the earthquake with its epicentre 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 or assistance 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 this reporter 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.
Citing as the reason that the areas around the epicentre of the earthquake are very remote and lie in high altitudes, the Chinese government announced yesterday through official channels that relief aid and assistance from other regions would be stopped. Tibetans from all the three traditional provinces of Kham, Amdo and U-tsang, who had set forth days before to offer relief aid and assistance were ordered to return.
A Tibetan inside Tibet stated that many Tibetan volunteer aid and rescue workers have started to head towards Tingkye and Lhatse County today. These volunteers have been issued strict directives not to post any videos or photos.
Upon hearing the news of the powerful earthquake in Dhingri, His Holiness the Dalai Lama, along with other Tibetan spiritual leaders in exile, immediately offered prayers for the safety and recovery of those affected. The Central Tibetan Administration, along with various Tibetan NGOs and communities worldwide, continues to hold prayer sessions, expressing deep condolences and solidarity with the people of Dhingri and their fellow Tibetans in Tibet who are suffering due to this devastating disaster.
Inside Tibet, well-known Tibetan writers, poets, singers, social media influencers, businessmen, organizations, and the general public all contributed generously with donations. Many personally visited the affected areas to provide daily assistance, while others expressed strong solidarity with the people of Dhingri through their respective professions.
A researcher linked the Chinese authorities’ directive to immediately stop aid and assistance from other regions to a strong display of unity and spirit among Tibetans in Tibet, highlighting their collective identity as a unified people.
A local Tibetan from the area shared, “Many of those who perished in the earthquake were young people. In Dhingri, we have a tradition of making smoke offerings on the day of Nine Bad Omens (Nyenpa Guzom) and celebrating with barley beer (Chhang) on the day of Ten Good Omens (Sangpo Chuzom) with family and friends. Unfortunately, the earthquake struck the day after Ten Good Omens, and many young lives were lost. While the Chinese authorities are providing aid and assistance, it is largely because Dhingri is located near the border.”
When the earthquake struck, Chinese government media outlets widely reported it as a 6.8 magnitude event centred in Dhingri County. However, the U.S. Geological Survey assessed the quake at a higher magnitude of 7.1.
Currently, social media feeds in Tibet are flooded with images and videos showcasing government officials and workers engaged in rescue and aid operations—a strikingly staged display orchestrated by the Chinese government.
Despite the severe restrictions faced by local Tibetans in the affected areas, many Tibetan social media influencers have travelled directly to these regions. However, they have been prohibited from sharing any information about the damage and devastation. Even mentioning the phrase ‘Donations for Earthquake’ is enough to result in the immediate suspension of a social media account.
Although the U.S. Geological Survey reported on the 7th of this month at 1:05 AM that there was an earthquake in Dhingri, the Chinese government announced that the earthquake occurred at around 9:05 AM on the 7th.
The earthquake struck with a focal depth of 10 km, primarily impacting Dhingri and the surrounding areas, including Sakya, Ngamring, Lhatse, Shigatse, and Tingkye. Tremors were felt in over twenty cities and regions, extending as far as Nepal, Sikkim in India, Bhutan, and other neighbouring countries. Dhingri, located south of the Tibetan capital Lhasa at an elevation of 4,300 meters above sea level, had previously experienced a 5.9 magnitude earthquake in March 2020.
Reports have also emerged of a 5.8-magnitude earthquake that struck the Matoe area in Golog, Tibet, yesterday afternoon, January 8. According to Chinese authorities, the earthquake hit on the mountainous terrain, thus resulting in no reported damage to life or property. We will continue to gather additional information from the region.
