Thanks to sparse population at the epicenter, improved infrastructure, and timely rescue, no casualties have been reported after the 6.9-magnitude earthquake hit Nyingchi, southwest China’s Tibet Autonomous Region, at 6:34 a.m. on Nov. 18.

“We were terrified when the earthquake hit, but we felt gratified that our building was still standing, and that the power supply system, roads, and mobile networks were still operating normally and a quake-relief helicopter was hovering above our heads soon after it,” said a villager.

The epicenter, at an average altitude of 3,700 meters, is sparsely populated with a total population of 23,000.

Since 2006, Tibet has stepped up efforts to improve its infrastructure construction, including roads, communication facilities, and buildings, all of which contributed to the positive outcome.

“Thanks to the local government, which helped us construct strong buildings, the powerful quake only left a little crack in my house,” a villager noted.

Although the disaster did not cause much loss for the villagers, many relief tents were put up and emergency response staffs were immediately sent to investigate the disaster situation.

Prompt quake relief work of many organs played a significant role in the disaster alleviation, said a director of the Party Committee of the region.

The city government arranged work groups to make urgent repairs on roads, water and power supply facilities, and communication facilities; meanwhile, the rescue team arrived at the quake zone to provide immediate help.

Moreover, the local government tried every effort to prevent possible losses caused by after-shocks and secondary disasters.