Dharamshala — Tibetans in exile around the world have organised prayers and solidarity events for those who died, were injured or lost family members in the devastating earthquake that struck Dingri County, Shigatse, Tibet, on January 7, 2025.
The Central Tibetan Administration organised a prayer service at the main Tibetan temple in Dharamshala on January 8, 2025, to express solidarity with the Tibetans who died or injured in Dingri County, Eastern Tibet during the magnitude 7.1 earthquake and in other affected areas.
During the prayer service, Sikyong briefly described the vast destruction and tragic loss of life caused by the devastating earthquake in the Dingri district, and expressed deep concern for the well-being of the Tibetans in Dingri and surrounding areas. He stated, “Considering the region’s high altitude of 4,000 meters above sea level, it is inevitable that the people will face severe risks of freezing and endure harsh winter conditions, with temperatures likely to drop below freezing in the coming days. Without immediate and effective rescue and recovery efforts, the situation could become even direr.”
Sikyong also said out that, despite repeated claims by the People's Republic of China (PRC) of the successful implementation of its poverty reduction policies in the region, the extensive damage - particularly to ancient infrastructure, including traditional houses - raises serious questions as to the real effectiveness of these claims. The destruction highlights the gap between the PRC's rhetoric and the reality on the ground.
Sikyong extended his sincere gratitude to fellow Tibetans who have appeared in videos on social networks, especially for their efforts to help the victims. He called on diasporas Tibetan communities around the world to hold prayer services in their respective places, mourning the losses and praying for the speedy recovery and resilience of those affected.
On January 9, 2025, His Holiness the Dalai Lama took part in a prayer service at Tashi Lhunpo Monastery in Bylakuppe, Karnataka, India, to pray for the victims of the devastating earthquake that struck Dingri County, Tibet. Around 12,000 monks, nuns and lay people gathered to pray. The Tibetan Youth Congress, the Tibetan Women's Association, Students for a Free Tibet and the National Democratic Party of Tibet held a candlelight vigil of solidarity in the street of McLeod Ganj, Dharamshala, on January 8, 2025, joined by Tibetans from all over the Dharamshala region.
The four Tibetan NGOs issued a statement and it states, “On January 7, 2025, a devastating 7.1 magnitude earthquake struck Tibet's Dingri County around 9am. This catastrophic earthquake has caused the tragic loss of many Tibetans precious lives and live stocks and property. For this heartbreaking accident, the four major Tibetan NGOS fervently praying for all the deceased souls may be swiftly reborn in the pure land and wishing for the speedy recovery to the injured ones. Our thoughts and heartfelt condolence with the families and loved ones of those have their lives.”
“The true cause of this devastating earthquake disaster is the Chinese communist government's decades of deforestation and mining of gold, silver, copper, iron and other minerals in Tibet since its invasion of Tibet. Major rivers and waterways in Tibet have been diverged and are being diverged and numerous dams have been constructed and are being constructed on them by the Chinese government. The Chinese government has also built many Chemical factories, including of Nuclear weapons and polluted Tibet's environment. These are the main causes that instigate frequent natural disasters in Tibet,” the representative of the NGOs said.
The representative said, “China must stop destroying Tibet's environment and inhabitants immediately. This issue is not only concerned with the well-being of Tibet and Tibetans but also directly related to the well- being and livelihood of the Asian countries neighboring Tibet. We, therefore, once again remind the neighboring countries of Tibet to remain vigilant and pay more attention towards what is going on in Tibet. As we have anticipated, although the actual magnitude of the earthquake that struck Dingri region of Tibet was reported 7.1, but the Chinese government has deliberately reduced it to 6.8 magnitudes and the actual number of Tibetans killed and injured is also reportedly reduced and covered up. China should be transparent and report the actual reality on the ground as per international law.”
Tibetans from Canada, the USA and Europe, as well as monasteries and Tibetan communities from all over India, organized a prayer service and candlelight vigil of solidarity for Tibetan brothers and sisters in Dingri county and other affected areas. Many Tibetans from the inside of the three Tibetan provinces (Utsang, Kham and Amdo) came to Dingri to help them with basic necessities such as food and thick clothing in semi-trailer trucks in this cold winter.
