A powerful earthquake with a magnitude of 7 struck the Tibet region in China on Thursday evening, resulting in the tragic loss of 16 lives, with 46 individuals injured and numerous homes in the city of Nagqu collapsing, as reported by official sources.
Rescue operations are ongoing after 339 homes and 20 livestock sheds crumbled in Nagqu, as confirmed by the city government. Among the injured, 11 individuals are in critical condition, while 35 others suffered minor injuries, according to the local media office.
Over 1,600 personnel from the county have been mobilized for the rescue mission. A significant amount of aid, including 1,000 prefabricated housing units, approximately 3,000 tents, folding beds, flashlights, and winter apparel, have been delivered to the affected area.
Xinhua, China’s state news agency, mentioned that communication has been disrupted in parts of the region. Consequently, railway authorities have taken swift measures to stop train services in the affected area.
The earthquake triggered rockfalls, leading to the closure of a segment of National Highway 317. Only emergency, rescue, and official vehicles are permitted through the area as cleanup operations are underway to remove debris.
Xinhua reported that intermittent snowfall is anticipated in the earthquake-stricken region for the next three days. This earthquake marks the most significant seismic event in the region over the past five years, as stated by China’s national broadcaster, CCTV.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the earthquake occurred at 10:33 p.m. local time, with its epicenter located 191 kilometers east-northeast of Nagqu in sparsely populated, high-altitude northern Tibet. The quake’s depth was recorded at 18 kilometers.
Nagqu is situated over 300 kilometers north of Lhasa, the capital of Tibet.
