section_path: Impact/Casualties
section_name: Casualties
paragraph_text: Casualties
  
  The death toll is heavily disputed, with the Government of China providing its current official figure of 126 deaths on 8 January, based on search operations in 27 villages comprising 6,900 people within 20 km (12 mi) of the earthquake epicenter. Due to the lack of revisions, transparency, and censorship by the government, local Tibetans heavily criticized this figure, instead estimating 265 fatalities. Chinese authorities refuted this figure as a rumor and imposed administrative punishment on some locals for spreading "misinformation" online. Voice of America Tibet put the death toll at 134, citing data received from Tibet and confirmed by reliable sources. On 11 January, Radio Free Asia reported more than 400 fatalities, an estimate they cited from staff working at morgues in Tingri and Lhatse counties.
  
  At least 338 people were wounded, including 19 in serious condition. Local officials attributed the casualties to the collapse of poorly constructed traditional buildings. On 8 January, rescuers said an unknown number of people remained missing as Chinese officials had not provided a figure. The following day, officials said that any remaining missing persons would have likely died of hypothermia beneath the rubble of destroyed homes. Fatalities occurred in Tingri, Lhatse and Sa'gya Counties.