Emergency medical aid continued Wednesday night in quake-hit Dingri County, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, to assess victims' health and provide assistance after a powerful earthquake on Tuesday morning.
A 6.8-magnitude earthquake jolted Dingri County in Xigaze City at 9:05 on Tuesday, causing at least 126 deaths and injuring 188 others.
At a relocation site in Changsuo Township, Dingri County, where 329 affected people have been settled, members of the national medical emergency response teams visited each household to check on their conditions and provide targeted medical treatment.
Since most of the affected people speak Tibetan and do not understand Mandarin, local rescuers also acted as interpreters to help the medical team better communicate with those in need of help. "Our rescue work faces many challenges because of language barriers and the lack of knowledge of the habits and customs of the local ethnic group. Therefore, I hope there are local comrades familiar with these can give us some support," said Zhu Wei, a team head.
During their nighttime visits, medical rescuers not only provided physical help but also offered emotional support to earthquake victims who were still suffering from the shock of the disaster.
"Everything will be fine, don't worry. Please contact us anytime you need help. Our medical post is in the resettlement area. If you need help, come to us anytime, and we'll also come back for more visits," Zhu said to a 77-year-old villager.
In addition to medical workers, all parties involved in the relief effort, such as the police and supply transporters, have been working tirelessly late into the night with such dedication that made the chilly winter feel warmer.
Medical aid for quake victims in Xizang continues late into night
The Iranian government is focusing on public concerns and maintaining stable supplies of essential goods amid recent protests, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a televised interview on Sunday.
In the city of Karaj, northwest of the capital Tehran, daily life has largely continued as normal. A video filmed by a local resident on Sunday shows food stores open and grocery shelves fully stocked.
"This is the block near my home, and there are some food stores here. Daily life continues here. Last night we did not see many protests in Karaj. Right now the city is very safe. This is a grocery store close to my home. All the food is available; nothing is in shortage. Here are noodles and different types of beans. Here are dairy products, cheese, and yogurt. I also checked other grocery stores and didn't see any shortages. Everything is available," said local resident Ali Reza.
Iranian officials have described recent disturbances as acts orchestrated by the "enemy," including some carried out by well-trained and armed "terrorists." The incidents have caused casualties among security personnel and civilians, as well as property damage.
The Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani has directed authorities to severely punish the "terrorists."
Meanwhile, Iran's police chief Ahmad-Reza Radan said on Sunday that the police had raised alert levels and arrested several leaders of the troublemakers during the operations on Saturday.
President Pezeshkian noted in the interview that the normal demands of the Iranian people are reasonable and justified, but they must realize that triggering riots and carrying out terrorist acts are the enemy's attempts to undermine the country. He urged the public to remain vigilant.
Also on Sunday, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned that Tehran would regard U.S. and Israeli bases and facilities in the Middle East as "legitimate targets" if Washington takes military action against Iran. His remarks followed media reports saying U.S. President Donald Trump is "seriously considering authorizing a strike" against Iran.
Iranian state media reported that at least 109 members of Iran's security forces have been killed in clashes since the protests began 14 days ago. Meanwhile, human rights groups based outside the country said the number of protesters killed has exceeded 200, though the figure could not be independently verified.
The protests initially erupted over a sharp depreciation of the rial and sweeping subsidy reforms. Iranian authorities have blamed the unrest on foreign-linked agents and sanctions imposed by the United States.
Iranian president says government focusing on ensuring supplies amid protests
