A powerful magnitude-7 earthquake struck Tibet in southwestern China late on Thursday, October 22, killing at least 16 people and injuring dozens. More than 300 homes collapsed in the affected region, while rescue and relief operations continued on Friday.
The earthquake struck Baqing County in Nagqu City at around 10:33 pm local time. According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the epicentre was about 191 kilometres east-northeast of Nagqu. The agency initially reported a depth of 18 kilometres, while Chinese earthquake authorities reported a depth of 10 kilometres.
China’s state news agency Xinhua initially reported 32 people injured, including 11 in serious condition. A later update from local authorities, reported by Reuters, raised the number of injured to 65, while the death toll remained at 16. At least 339 homes had collapsed, and authorities were assessing the full extent of the damage.
Emergency teams, including police and fire and rescue personnel, have been deployed to the affected area. More than 12,000 people were reported to have been moved to safety as relief efforts continued. Authorities also recorded a series of smaller aftershocks following the main earthquake.
The earthquake is the strongest recorded in China since January 2024. The affected area is remote and located at a high altitude, making rescue and relief work challenging.
Officials are continuing to assess the damage and provide assistance to affected residents. The casualty figures may change as authorities release further verified updates.
