1/10/2025
The Shigatse earthquake made headlines around the world, but there’s another side to this story that remains mostly untold.
The earthquake struck on January 7, 2025, with its epicenter in Tingri County, approximately 80 kilometers (50 miles) north of Mount Everest, in the middle section of the Himalayas. Tingri County, part of Shigatse City in Tibet, is renowned for its proximity to the world's highest peak.
Located at an average altitude of 5,000 meters (16,400 feet), this region’s high-altitude Himalayan terrain is as breathtaking as it is unforgiving. The combination of rugged landscapes and extreme elevations poses significant challenges to rescue and relief operations following natural disasters like earthquakes.
Despite these obstacles, China launched a swift and highly coordinated rescue effort, which is a story worth telling. The following timeline highlights the speed and efficiency of China's response:
9:00 AM, January 7: The earthquake struck.
9:10 AM: Military aircraft were dispatched to the affected area.
9:30 AM: Rescue operations began, with teams working to demolish damaged buildings to search for survivors.
Same day: 200 soldiers collectively donated 90,000 milliliters of blood.
3:00 PM: Power was restored in the county town.
5:00 PM: Regional remote sensing maps were made available.
7:00 PM: Communication networks were largely restored.
Night. Despite sub-zero temperatures, rescue teams worked through the night.
Morning, January 8: The national highway was mostly cleared, enabling better access to the affected areas.
January 8: Hot meals were delivered to the impacted region.
Early January 8: A team of medical experts departed from Shanghai.
Afternoon, January 8: Authorities announced that disaster relief supplies were fully stocked, eliminating the need for further donations.
Currently, over 14,000 rescue workers are on the ground, and 46,000 people have been relocated and resettled in heated shelters.
This extraordinary rescue effort is a testament to the spirit and the tradition of mutual aid captured by the Chinese saying, "一方有难，八方支援" (Yī fāng yǒu nàn, bā fāng zhī yuán) when one place is in trouble, help pours in from all directions. The swift response to this disaster exemplifies this deeply ingrained value.
Natural disasters like earthquakes are inevitable, but their aftermath need not be catastrophic. The Shigatse earthquake rescue drive showcased how a swift, well-coordinated response can make an enormous difference in minimizing the damages, saving lives and alleviating suffering.
China's rapid mobilization of resources, personnel, and aid provides a powerful example of what can be achieved when a nation unites to confront disasters like earthquake or wildfire.
If countries worldwide could adopt similar efficiency and preparedness in disaster response, countless lives could be saved, and communities could recover more quickly from the devastation.
The Shigatse rescue efforts stand as a great true story and a reminder that, while we cannot prevent nature's forces, we can control how we respond—with speed, compassion, and unwavering determination.