Nagqu

At least 16 people have been killed after a powerful magnitude-7.0 earthquake struck the Tibet region of southwestern China on Thursday evening, October 22, damaging homes and triggering emergency rescue operations, according to reports from the affected region.

The earthquake struck at approximately 10:33 p.m. local time. Its epicentre was located in a sparsely populated, high-altitude area of Nagqu in northern Tibet, at a depth of around 10 kilometres, according to seismic data reported by Chinese authorities. The epicentre was approximately 400 kilometres from Lhasa, the regional capital.

Dozens Injured as Homes Sustain Damage

Initial reports said 32 people had been injured, including 11 who were in serious condition. Some homes in villages near the epicentre developed structural cracks, while local emergency and fire-rescue teams were mobilised to assist affected communities.

The earthquake was followed by several smaller tremors measuring around magnitude 3 to 4. Authorities and rescue teams continued assessing the damage and responding to reports from affected areas.

Rescue and Relief Efforts

Emergency responders have been sent to the affected region as officials work to assess casualties, inspect damaged buildings and provide assistance to residents. The area’s high elevation, remote location and difficult terrain may complicate rescue and relief operations.

The death toll and injury figures may change as authorities receive further information from villages and conduct additional assessments.

A Region Vulnerable to Earthquakes

Tibet and neighbouring parts of the Himalayan region are seismically active because of the ongoing movement of tectonic plates. Strong earthquakes in this broader region can cause severe damage, particularly in communities where buildings may be vulnerable and access for emergency teams is difficult.

Authorities are expected to continue monitoring aftershocks and assessing the safety of affected structures as rescue efforts proceed.