Footage of Tibet floods isn't being shown in China - and we know little about victims there

A devastating flood in Tibet has claimed hundreds of lives, with many more still missing. Gruesome footage of the disaster, captured on CCTV cameras, has gone largely unreported by China's state-run news outlets. Beijing has launched a massive rescue operation, with President Xi Jinping personally overseeing efforts. However, China's internet censorship makes it difficult for international journalists to access firsthand accounts from survivors or citizens affected by the flood.

Tibet, annexed by China in the 1950s, has a history of resisting rule and facing alleged rights violations by the Chinese Communist Party. The region's sensitivity is evident in Beijing's muted response to the disaster, with limited updates on the missing and dead and a focus on rescue efforts. China's Premier Li Qiang visited the region to inspect debris, emphasizing the government's priority on stability.

The Communist Party has tried to maintain social order by urging local party members to help in relief efforts and maintain stability. Tibetan groups abroad have expressed concerns over increasing Chinese control, including new education laws aimed at weakening the role of monasteries and the Buddhist faith.