Deadly 7.0-Magnitude Earthquake Rocks Tibet, Killing 16 as Rescue Teams Race Against Time

BEIJING: A powerful magnitude 7.0 earthquake has struck China’s remote Tibet region, killing at least 16 people and injuring dozens, as rescue teams race to assist survivors and assess widespread damage in the mountainous region.
The earthquake struck at around 10:33 p.m. local time on Thursday in a sparsely populated area of Nagqu in northern Tibet, at a shallow depth of approximately 10 kilometres, according to earthquake monitoring authorities.
The powerful tremor caused significant damage to residential structures, with at least 339 homes reported collapsed or damaged. Twenty livestock sheds were also destroyed, while emergency teams were deployed to assess the destruction and provide assistance to affected communities.
The number of injured has varied across official updates as authorities continue to evaluate the situation. Reuters reported that the figure had risen to 65, while other Chinese state-media reports cited different numbers. The reported death toll remained at 16 in the latest updates provided.
More than 12,000 people were reportedly moved to safer locations amid concerns over further tremors and the stability of damaged buildings. Hundreds of police officers, firefighters and rescue personnel were mobilised, while emergency supplies, including tents, prefabricated shelters, folding beds and winter clothing, were dispatched to the affected areas.
The earthquake triggered hundreds of aftershocks, according to the China Earthquake Networks Center, raising concerns about additional damage and the safety of residents returning to their homes.
Power and telecommunications services were disrupted in parts of the region, while rockfalls prompted authorities to restrict traffic along a section of National Highway 317.
Chinese President Xi Jinping ordered an extensive rescue and medical relief operation, directing authorities to prioritise search efforts, provide medical assistance and ensure the safety of affected residents.
Rescue operations have been complicated by the region’s high altitude and rugged terrain. The area surrounding the epicentre has an average elevation of nearly 4,864 metres, while forecasts of intermittent snowfall over the coming days could further challenge emergency responders.
Chinese state media described the earthquake as the strongest to strike the region in five years and one of the most powerful earthquakes to hit China in recent years.
Rescue operations remain underway as authorities continue to assess casualties, inspect damaged infrastructure and determine the full extent of the destruction.