- A magnitude 7 earthquake has killed at least 16 people in China’s Tibet Autonomous Region.
- The quake struck at 10:33pm (14:33 GMT) on Thursday with its epicentre in a remote region of northern Tibet.
- Officials in Nagqu reported up to 65 people injured, though other reports suggested a slightly lower figure.
- Officials reported the collapse of at least 339 homes and 20 livestock sheds.
- Beijing deployed 1,600 rescue personnel, but reaching the area (altitude about 4,800 metres / 15,748ft) is difficult with many roads blocked or affected by rockfalls; snow is forecast.
A magnitude 7 earthquake struck China’s Tibet Autonomous Region, killing at least 16 people and injuring up to 65. The quake, which occurred at 10:33pm on Thursday, caused the collapse of 339 homes and 20 livestock sheds.1
The epicentre was located in a remote area about 190km east-northeast of Nagqu, at an altitude of 4,800 metres (15,748ft). Rescue efforts are ongoing, with 1,600 personnel deployed by Beijing, but access is challenging due to blocked roads and rockfalls.3
“Snow is forecast over the next few days and hours,” reported Al Jazeera’s Katrina Yu, emphasizing the region’s vulnerability to seismic activity. This earthquake is noted as the strongest to hit China since January 2024.
A level-II earthquake disaster emergency response has been activated, and electricity and communication lines are reported down, complicating rescue operations.
“Officials in Nagqu report up to 65 injured, while Beijing has deployed 1,600 rescue personnel to the remote area at 4,800 meters altitude. Many roads are blocked by rockfalls, and snow is forecast over the next few days, complicating access.”
