Tibet Quake Flattens 339 Homes

The ground shook hard enough to destroy neighborhoods in northern China.

A magnitude 7 earthquake struck the Tibet region on Thursday evening. At least 16 people died and 46 were injured, according to official media. The hardest hit area was Nagqu, a city located more than 300 kilometers north of Lhasa.

City officials stated that 339 homes and 20 livestock sheds collapsed. Of the 46 injured, 11 required serious medical attention while the other 35 sustained minor injuries. Rescue crews remained active on the ground as of Friday.

Local authorities deployed over 1,600 workers to clear debris and search for survivors. Relief supplies arrived in the zone, including 1,000 prefabricated housing units, 3,000 tents, and winter clothing. These items aim to support displaced families facing cold temperatures.

Infrastructure suffered damage that complicates the response. Xinhua reported that communication lines went down in parts of the region. Railway authorities halted train traffic through the affected area. Officials closed a section of National Highway 317 after rockfalls blocked the route. Only emergency and support vehicles can currently pass while crews remove the debris.

Weather may hinder efforts over the coming days. Xinhua noted that intermittent snow is expected across the quake zone for the next three days. The U.S. Geological Survey recorded the quake at 10:33 p.m. local time. It occurred at a depth of 18 kilometers, with the epicenter 191 kilometers east-northeast of Nagqu.