The short version
- A magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck the mountainous Nagqu region in northern Tibet, resulting in at least 16 deaths and dozens of injuries.
- Hundreds of homes have collapsed and roads are blocked by rockfalls, complicating rescue efforts in the high-altitude, sparsely populated area.
- Chinese authorities have deployed thousands of personnel and emergency supplies, while residents remain outdoors due to fears of aftershocks.
A powerful magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck a remote, mountainous region in northern China’s Tibet Autonomous Region on Thursday night, killing at least 16 people and injuring dozens more. The tremor centered in Baqên County within the Nagqu prefecture, an area located roughly 400 kilometers northeast of Lhasa, the regional capital. According to Chinese state media reports citing local emergency management officials, the quake caused significant structural damage, with at least 339 homes and 20 livestock sheds collapsing in the affected zone.
The US Geological Survey recorded the main shock occurring at approximately 10:33 p.m. local time, with an epicenter situated about 191 kilometers east-northeast of Nagqu city. The agency placed the depth of the earthquake at 18 kilometers, noting that shallower quakes tend to cause more surface damage than deeper ones. Following the initial strike, seismologists detected at least seven aftershocks ranging from magnitude 4.3 to 5.2, all occurring at a depth of roughly 10 kilometers. Chinese officials reported that over 400 smaller tremors had been registered by Friday morning.
Casualty figures remain fluid as rescue operations continue in the challenging terrain. State media indicated that 65 people were injured, including 11 with severe wounds, though other reports cited slightly lower injury counts. The high altitude of the region, which sits around 4,800 meters above sea level, combined with subzero temperatures, has created hazardous conditions for both survivors and first responders. Many residents chose to spend the night outdoors in tents or vehicles rather than risk being trapped inside damaged structures during potential aftershocks.
Infrastructure damage has hampered immediate relief efforts. Power supplies were cut off in several areas, although some electricity was restored by Friday morning. Communication networks also went down in parts of the disaster zone. Rockfalls triggered by the shaking forced authorities to close sections of National Highway 317, restricting access to emergency vehicles only. Local railway operators halted train services passing through the region to ensure safety while crews worked to clear debris from the roads.
Chinese leadership has mobilized a substantial response effort. Premier Li Qiang and President Xi Jinping both issued directives calling for urgent rescue operations and medical treatment for the injured. The Ministry of Emergency Management dispatched a working group to guide relief activities, while local authorities deployed more than 1,600 personnel from the county alone. Additional support includes nearly 350 firefighters and over 300 police officers sent to assist with search and rescue missions.
Emergency supplies have begun arriving in the affected area to support displaced residents. More than 12,400 people have been relocated from their homes, according to local media reports. Aid shipments include approximately 1,000 prefabricated housing units, 3,000 tents, folding beds, torches, and winter clothing. The Chinese government announced an allocation of 50 million yuan, roughly $7.5 million, specifically for disaster relief efforts in Tibet.
The region is geologically active and prone to severe seismic events. This quake marks the strongest tremor in the area in five years. In recent history, the broader region has suffered devastating losses; a magnitude 6.2 earthquake in nearby Gansu province killed more than 130 people in late 2023, and another quake in Tibet’s Tingri county claimed at least 126 lives in January 2025. Additionally, the area faced massive floods and landslides caused by a glacier collapse just two months prior, which resulted in over 1,400 deaths.
Access to independent verification remains limited due to strict media controls in Tibet. Foreign journalists are generally restricted from entering the region, meaning most information comes from state-run outlets like Xinhua and CCTV. Video footage broadcast by national television showed buildings shaking violently and residents fleeing into streets, but these clips have not been independently corroborated. Rescue teams, including military personnel equipped with drones for surveying, are working to reach isolated high-altitude communities despite the difficult conditions.
Sources behind this briefing
Go to the original reporting
- BBC World↗Powerful earthquake hits Tibet killing 16 people, reports say
- The Guardian World↗Magnitude-7 earthquake hits China’s Tibet, killing at least 16 and destroying hundreds of homes
