Powerful 7.0-magnitude earthquake strikes China’s Tibet

A powerful earthquake measuring 7.0 on the Richter scale struck northern Tibet in China on Thursday night, October 22, according to the China Earthquake Networks Center (CENC).

The earthquake occurred at around 10:33pm local time in a county in the Nagqu region of northern Tibet, at a depth of approximately 10 kilometres, CENC data showed.

The epicentre was located about 400 kilometres from Lhasa, the capital of Tibet.

The tremors were felt in nearby areas, prompting residents to leave their homes as a precaution.

The United States Geological Survey (USGS) also reported a magnitude 7.0 earthquake in northern Tibet, although its initial assessment differed from China’s estimate of the quake’s depth.

Initial reports indicated that the earthquake struck a sparsely populated mountainous region.

Authorities were expected to assess the situation and determine the extent of any damage or casualties.

The quake was among the strongest to hit China since January 2024, raising concerns about possible damage in the remote, high-altitude region.