339 houses collapse or sustain damage | 11 injured in critical condition | Hundreds of rescue personnel deployed as power and communication services are disrupted
A powerful earthquake measuring 7.0 magnitude struck China’s Tibet Autonomous Region on Thursday night, killing at least 16 people and injuring 46 others, according to state media reports citing local authorities. Eleven of the injured are reported to be in serious condition. Rescue and relief operations are continuing as authorities assess the extent of the destruction.
The earthquake caused extensive damage to residential buildings, with 339 houses reported to have collapsed or sustained damage. The tremors sent people rushing out of restaurants and shops as buildings shook and objects fell from supermarket shelves. Rescue teams are searching damaged structures and assisting residents affected by the disaster.
Where Did the Earthquake Strike?
According to the US Geological Survey (USGS), the epicentre was located in a mountainous region approximately 190 kilometres east-northeast of Nagqu and 390 kilometres northeast of Lhasa, the regional capital.
The earthquake struck at 10.33 pm on Thursday at a depth of approximately 10 kilometres. The epicentre was identified near Maru township in Baqen county. The tremors were strongly felt at the local township office, where cracks reportedly appeared in the walls.
Power and telecommunications services were disrupted in the county seat following the earthquake. Authorities activated a Level III earthquake disaster emergency response to coordinate relief efforts in the affected area, according to China Central Television (CCTV).
Hundreds of Houses Damaged; Rescue Teams Deployed
Local authorities reported that 339 houses had collapsed or sustained damage. Officials are continuing to assess the destruction, while emergency teams work to locate and assist affected residents.
More than 300 police officers have been deployed to support relief operations. The regional fire and rescue corps has also mobilised 347 personnel to affected areas, according to Xinhua news agency.
Footage broadcast by CCTV showed rescue workers navigating damaged buildings, including structures with collapsed roofs. In one scene, rescuers were seen carrying an injured person to safety, while other teams used torches to inspect damaged structures.
Soldiers were also seen preparing for deployment as emergency personnel worked to reach affected communities. Authorities are setting up tents to provide temporary shelter for residents whose homes have been damaged or rendered unsafe.
Videos from the affected region captured people rushing out of restaurants and shops as the tremors struck. Items could also be seen falling from supermarket shelves, highlighting the intensity of the shaking.
Tibet Hit by Strongest Earthquake in Five Years
The 7.0-magnitude earthquake has been described in reports as the strongest to hit the region in five years. The latest disaster has renewed concerns about earthquake preparedness and the vulnerability of communities living in the mountainous Himalayan region.
The earthquake comes amid reports of severe flooding and landslides in areas near the border between Nepal and China’s Tibet Autonomous Region. The scale and casualty figures of those separate disasters require independent verification and should not be confused with the losses reported in the latest earthquake.
China’s History of Deadly Earthquakes
China has experienced several devastating earthquakes over the past two decades, resulting in significant loss of life and widespread destruction.
In January 2025, an earthquake in Tingri county in Tibet killed at least 126 people and damaged buildings across affected communities.
In December 2023, a powerful earthquake in Gansu province in northwestern China killed at least 127 people. It was reported as the country’s deadliest earthquake since the 2014 disaster in Yunnan province, which claimed more than 600 lives.
One of China’s worst modern disasters occurred in May 2008, when a massive earthquake struck Sichuan province. Around 90,000 people were killed or reported missing, including thousands of children.
Rescue Operations Continue
Rescue workers and emergency personnel remain deployed across the affected areas as authorities assess structural damage, provide medical assistance and arrange temporary shelter. The full extent of the destruction and the possibility of further casualties remain subject to ongoing assessments.
With hundreds of homes affected and essential services disrupted, restoring communications and supporting displaced residents remain key priorities for emergency teams.
