At Least 16 Killed, 65 Injured in Powerful 7.1-Magnitude Earthquake in Tibet
At least 16 people have been killed and 65 injured after a powerful earthquake struck Tibet, China, causing hundreds of houses to collapse.
The earthquake, measuring 7.1 in magnitude, destroyed at least 339 houses in Nagqu, a city in northern Tibet. Rescue operations are underway in the affected areas.
There are concerns that the death toll could rise as people may still be trapped beneath the rubble.
More than 1,600 rescue workers are participating in relief operations. Authorities have also dispatched 1,000 temporary housing units, nearly 3,000 tents and other essential supplies for affected residents. These include folding beds, food, drinking water, flashlights and warm clothing to protect people from the cold.
According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the earthquake struck at 10:33 p.m. China Standard Time. Its epicentre was located 191 kilometres northeast of Nagqu, at a depth of 18 kilometres.
Following the main earthquake, at least seven aftershocks, ranging in magnitude from 4.3 to 5.2, have also been recorded.
According to Chinese media reports, the earthquake disrupted communication systems in some areas. Railway authorities suspended train services passing through the affected region as a precautionary measure.
The earthquake also triggered landslides, forcing the closure of a section of National Highway 317. Only emergency response teams and government vehicles are currently permitted to use the affected stretch of road.
Intermittent snowfall is also expected in the earthquake-hit region over the next three days, potentially complicating rescue and relief operations.
The earthquake is reported to be the strongest to hit the area in the past five years.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has directed authorities to take comprehensive measures to rescue earthquake victims and provide medical assistance to the injured.
Nagqu is located more than 300 kilometres north of Lhasa, the capital of Tibet.
