At least 95 people have lost their lives, and 130 others are injured following a powerful earthquake that struck the Shigatse region of Tibet on Tuesday morning. The tremor, recorded at a magnitude of 7.1 by the US Geological Survey, occurred at 09:00 local time (01:00 GMT) with a shallow depth of 10 kilometers (6 miles).

The earthquake, one of the deadliest in recent years, caused extensive destruction in the region. Neighboring Nepal and parts of India also felt the tremors. Videos aired on China’s state broadcaster CCTV revealed scenes of devastation, with houses and buildings reduced to rubble as rescue workers combed through debris, providing relief to survivors.
Shigatse, one of Tibet’s holiest cities, holds great spiritual significance. It is traditionally the seat of the Panchen Lama, the second-highest authority in Tibetan Buddhism. The earthquake’s destruction has added to the challenges faced by the city, which has long been at the heart of Tibetan cultural and political tensions.

Temperatures in Tingri county, close to the epicenter, have plummeted to -8°C (17.6°F) and are expected to drop further to -18°C (0°F) by nightfall. The region, known for its proximity to Mount Everest, has seen disruptions in power and water supplies, further complicating rescue and relief efforts.

Chinese state media reported that over 1,000 homes were damaged or destroyed, with several strong aftershocks following the initial quake. Rescue teams are working in sub-zero conditions to provide aid, including distributing warm blankets and medical care.

The Tibet region lies along a significant geological fault line, making it prone to earthquakes. While such events are not uncommon, the scale and impact of this earthquake highlight the region’s vulnerability to natural disasters.

The Federal Government has announced the activation of heightened surveillance for inbound passengers from China following reports of a surge in cases of Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV), a respiratory virus that has strained healthcare facilities across northern Chinese provinces.
HMPV cases have risen sharply, particularly among children under 14 in northern China. The outbreak has overwhelmed hospitals, with social media footage showing overcrowded facilities and sparking fears of a larger health crisis.

Chinese authorities have implemented measures including:

• Monitoring and tracking pneumonia cases of unknown origin.
• Promoting mask-wearing and social distancing.
• Disinfecting public spaces to limit virus spread.

Mao Ning, spokesperson for China’s foreign ministry, stated on Friday that while respiratory infections often peak in winter, the current illnesses appear less severe and widespread compared to the previous year.
To mitigate the risk of importation, Nigeria plans to:

• Conduct enhanced screening and monitoring of passengers arriving from China.
• Quarantine individuals if necessary.

The Federal Government aims to proactively address potential risks, drawing on lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic, which originated in China five years ago and had a profound global impact.
Neighboring countries like Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Cambodia are also closely tracking the situation, reporting isolated cases but no significant outbreaks.

China has launched a pilot program to monitor and manage pneumonia of unknown origin effectively, reinforcing laboratory reporting and coordination across health agencies.

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has announced a new opportunity for candidates to resit their West African Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (WASSCE) papers.

Starting January 2025, candidates who wish to improve their scores or retake failed subjects will have the chance to sit for the newly introduced WASSCE Private Candidate (PC1) exams.

Registration and Schedule
Speaking on JoyNews’ AM Show in Ghana, WAEC’s Head of Public Affairs, John Kapi, shared details about the development:

• Candidates can register online via WAEC’s website or at WAEC-accredited internet cafés.
• Registration closes on 8th January 2025.
• The resit exams are scheduled to take place between 24th January and 15th February 2025.

Kapi emphasized that this initiative aims to provide students a timely opportunity to improve their results without waiting an entire year.
Candidates whose results were canceled due to administrative reasons can participate in the resit, provided they have not been banned for examination malpractice.