Beijing, October 23 (TNA) A powerful magnitude 7 earthquake struck China’s Tibet region on Thursday evening, killing at least 16 people and injuring 54 others, according to reports citing Chinese official media. The quake hit a mountainous, high-altitude area in northern Tibet and caused hundreds of homes to collapse in Nagqu city.
Emergency teams have been deployed to the affected areas to search for survivors, treat the injured and assess the extent of the damage. The U.S. Geological Survey said the earthquake occurred at about 10:33 p.m. local time, with its epicentre located approximately 191 kilometres east-northeast of Nagqu. The sparsely populated and difficult terrain is complicating rescue and relief operations.
Rescue operations under way
Local authorities have declared an emergency and dispatched rescue personnel, medical teams and relief supplies to the worst-affected areas. Officials warned that the casualty figures could change as rescue workers reach remote villages and damaged buildings.
Several aftershocks were reported following the main quake, prompting residents to move outdoors and emergency authorities to issue safety advisories. Power, communication and road links in parts of the region were also being assessed.
Reports from Chinese state media initially gave varying figures for the number of injured, with some accounts citing 32 people and later updates putting the number at 54. Authorities are expected to release a consolidated casualty and damage assessment after the first phase of rescue operations.
The earthquake is among the strongest to affect the region in recent years. Rescue teams are continuing to search collapsed structures while local governments arrange temporary shelters, food and medical assistance for displaced residents.