A magnitude-7 earthquake struck Tibet on Thursday night, killing at least 16 people and injuring 65 others. The quake, the strongest in the region in five years, caused hundreds of homes to collapse in the remote Himalayan area. Chinese officials have launched extensive search and rescue operations to assist the affected population.
The earthquake's epicenter was located 191 kilometers east-northeast of Nagqu, in a sparsely populated, high-altitude region. At least 339 residential buildings and 20 livestock sheds collapsed, with 11 of the injured in serious condition. Rescue teams and emergency personnel have been deployed to the area to provide medical care and support to the displaced residents.
The Chinese government has allocated 50 million yuan for disaster relief efforts, with over 12,000 people relocated and 3,000 tents provided for quake victims. Officials have also declared the incident an emergency, with ongoing assessments of the damage and efforts to restore communication and power to the affected areas.
The earthquake is part of a pattern of seismic activity in the region, with similar quakes occurring in 2023 and 2025. Officials have emphasized the need for continued monitoring and preparedness, as the area remains prone to significant seismic events.