New York, April 19 – Tibetans living here gathered today at Queens Place to observe the first ‘Dhuntsik’ or completion of seven days after death according to Tibetan custom for the victims of the earthquake that hit Yushu (Kyigudo) County on April 14.
The earthquake measuring 6.9 on the Richter scale (China says it was 7.1) hit the predominantly Tibetan region in the traditional Tibetan province of Kham. The latest government figures put the death toll at 2046 but exile Tibetans with contacts in the region say the number could well be around ten thousand which could not be verified.
Tibetans offered prayers and lit butter lamps as a mark of respect for the victims of the earthquake. Kasur Lobsang Nyandak, Representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to the Americas was also present at the prayer service.
The organizers also collected donations to be sent to Kyigudo through international aid agencies.
The event was jointly organized by Regional Tibetan Youth Congress of NY & NJ, Tibetan Community of NY & NJ, Regional Tibetan Women’s Association NY&NJ and New York based Tibetan Volunteers for Animals.
Similar prayer service will be held on the fourth and seventh ‘Dhuntsik’, said the organizers.
