At least 16 people have been killed and 32 others injured after a powerful 7.0-magnitude earthquake struck China’s remote Tibet region, causing more than 300 houses to collapse.
The earthquake occurred at 10:33 p.m. on Thursday, with local authorities continuing to assess the damage and emergency teams carrying out rescue and relief operations, according to state news agency Xinhua.
The United States Geological Survey said the earthquake’s epicentre was in a mountainous area approximately 190 kilometres east-northeast of Nagqu and 390 kilometres northeast of Lhasa, the regional capital. The quake struck at a shallow depth of 10 kilometres.
Authorities activated a Level-II earthquake disaster emergency response following the incident.
The epicentre was identified in Maru Township, Baqen County. Township Deputy Head Lhawang Dagpo said the tremor was strongly felt at the township office, where cracks appeared in the walls.
Power and telecommunications services were also disrupted in the county seat, adding to the challenges facing local authorities as they respond to the disaster.
Officials are continuing to evaluate the extent of the destruction as relief operations remain underway.
Earthquakes are relatively common in China. In January 2025, at least 126 people were killed when a powerful earthquake struck Tingri County in rural Tibet.
Source: AFP
