Tibet quake destroys 339 homes, kills 16

A strong earthquake struck the northern Tibetan region on Thursday evening, resulting in a confirmed death toll of 16 and injuries to 54 people. The event, classified as magnitude 7.0, caused widespread structural damage to residential and agricultural properties in the area surrounding Nagqu.

Local government officials reported that 339 homes and 20 livestock sheds collapsed in the immediate aftermath of the tremor. Search and rescue operations continued through Friday morning, with crews working to clear debris and locate survivors. Chinese national broadcaster CCTV identified this event as the most powerful seismic activity recorded in the region during the past five years.

The United States Geological Survey placed the epicenter 119 miles east-north-east of Nagqu. The tremor occurred at a depth of 11 miles at 10:33 p.m. local time. The agency tracked at least seven aftershocks between magnitude 4.3 and 5.2 in the following hours. Each aftershock registered at a depth of 6 miles.

More than 1,600 personnel from the local county were mobilized to support the rescue effort. Xinhua News Agency reported that over 300 police officers and nearly 350 fire and rescue service members joined the operation. Logistics teams transported 1,000 prefabricated housing units, 3,000 tents, folding beds, torches, and winter clothing to the affected zones.

Infrastructure disruptions complicated the response. Communications links failed in parts of the region, and local railway authorities halted train traffic to ensure safety. A section of National Highway 317 closed after rockfalls blocked the route. Only emergency and official vehicles were permitted to pass while crews cleared the debris. Snow was forecast for the next three days, adding to the challenges facing relief workers.

President Xi Jinping directed an all-out effort for rescue and medical relief. Nagqu is located more than 185 miles north of Lhasa, the regional capital. The area has experienced multiple major earthquakes in recent years, including events in 2023 and 2025 that resulted in significant loss of life and property damage.

Tibet remains a seismically active zone due to its geographic location. The region has maintained a complex relationship with the central government since coming under Chinese control in the 1950s. Recent natural disasters have highlighted the logistical difficulties involved in providing aid to remote, high-altitude communities within the area.