Magnitude-7.0 Earthquake Strikes Tibet, Leaving 16 Dead and Dozens Injured
A powerful 7.0 magnitude earthquake has devastated China's Tibet region, causing 16 fatalities and destroying hundreds of homes in Nagqu. Read more.
POLICY WIRE — Beijing, China — A powerful magnitude-7.0 earthquake struck the Tibet region on Thursday evening, resulting in at least 16 deaths and 32 injuries, according to state media reports.
The seismic event caused widespread destruction in the northern city of Nagqu, where local government officials confirmed that 339 homes have collapsed.
Of the 32 individuals injured, authorities reported that 11 are currently in serious condition, while 21 others suffered minor wounds. Emergency response teams, including police and fire personnel, are actively working to establish tent housing for those displaced by the disaster.
China’s national broadcaster, CCTV, identified this as the most significant earthquake to hit the region within the last five years.
Data from the U.S. Geological Survey indicates the tremor occurred at 10:33 p.m. local time. The epicenter was located 191 kilometers (119 miles) east-northeast of Nagqu in a remote, high-altitude area, with a recorded depth of 18 kilometers (11 miles).
Discrepancies exist regarding the depth of the quake, as China’s official Xinhua News Agency cited the China Earthquake Networks Center, which placed the depth at 10 kilometers (6.2 miles).
The city of Nagqu is situated more than 185 kilometers north of Lhasa, the capital of Tibet.
Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)
