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A powerful 7.0-magnitude earthquake struck China’s Tibet region on Thursday night, killing at least 18 people and injuring dozens, according to Chinese state media.
The earthquake hit Baqen County in Nagqu City, northern Tibet, at around 10:33 pm local time on Thursday, October 22, according to the China Earthquake Networks Centre.
At least 46 people were injured, including 11 in serious condition and 35 with minor injuries, as of early Friday, local authorities reported.
The quake caused significant damage, with at least 339 homes and 20 livestock sheds collapsing or sustaining damage.
Search and rescue operations were underway as emergency teams worked to locate survivors and assist affected residents.
More than 1,600 local personnel were deployed for rescue operations.
Relief supplies, including prefabricated housing units, tents, folding beds, flashlights and winter clothing, were also sent to the affected area.
The earthquake disrupted communications in parts of the region and prompted railway authorities to suspend train movements while safety checks were carried out.
Rockfalls also forced the temporary closure of a section of National Highway 317, with access restricted to emergency and rescue vehicles.
The US Geological Survey placed the epicentre about 191 kilometres east-northeast of Nagqu, in a sparsely populated, high-altitude area.
It estimated the quake’s depth at around 18 kilometres, while Chinese seismic authorities reported a depth of about 10 kilometres.
The earthquake was the strongest to hit China since January 2024, according to reports.
Authorities continued to assess the damage as rescue and relief efforts proceeded.
