Strong Quake in Northern Tibet Leaves Homes Crumbling and 16 Dead

A powerful earthquake shook a remote part of China's Tibet region late Thursday, causing significant damage to buildings and infrastructure in a high-altitude area. The tremor registered as a magnitude 7 event, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

At least 16 people lost their lives in the quake, while 46 others sustained injuries. Of those hurt, medical officials reported that 11 individuals are in serious condition, with 35 others suffering minor injuries. The injuries and fatalities are centered around the northern city of Nagqu, which experienced severe structural failure.

According to officials in Nagqu cited by the local media office, the destruction included the collapse of at least 339 homes and 20 livestock sheds. Search and rescue operations are currently active in the affected areas.

Relief efforts are ramping up to support displaced residents. More than 1,600 people from the local county have been mobilized to assist with rescue work. Supplies delivered to the region include flashlights, winter clothing, and roughly 3,000 tents and folding beds, along with 1,000 prefabricated housing units.

Logistics in the area have been disrupted by the event. China's official news agency, Xinhua, reported that communication lines are down in parts of the region. Additionally, railway authorities halted train services through the affected zone. Rockfalls triggered by the tremor also led officials to close a section of National Highway 317, restricting passage to emergency and official support vehicles while crews clear the debris.

Forecasters warn that weather conditions may further challenge rescue crews. Xinhua reported that intermittent snow is expected across the quake zone over the next three days.

The U.S. Geological Survey stated that the earthquake occurred at 10:33 p.m. local time at a depth of 18 kilometres. Its epicentre was located 191 kilometres east-northeast of Nagqu, in a sparsely populated area. Nagqu lies more than 300 kilometres north of Lhasa, the Tibetan capital. China's national broadcaster CCTV noted that this was the largest earthquake to strike the region in the past five years.