Tibet Earthquake: At Least 16 Killed, Dozens Injured As 7.0-Magnitude Quake Damages Hundreds Of Homes
At least 16 people have been killed and dozens injured after a powerful 7.0-magnitude earthquake struck a remote, mountainous region of northern Tibet on Thursday night.
Rescue operations are underway as emergency teams work to reach affected villages amid freezing temperatures, damaged roads and power outages.
The earthquake struck Baqen County in the Nagqu region at 10:33 pm local time on October 22, at a reported depth of around 10 to 18 kilometres.
The epicentre was about 190 kilometres east-northeast of Nagqu city and around 390 kilometres from Lhasa, the regional capital.
Between 46 and 65 people have been reported injured, with 11 said to be in critical condition. At least 339 homes have collapsed or suffered severe damage, while 20 livestock sheds have also been destroyed.
The earthquake damaged power lines, leaving villages without electricity.
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Rockfalls blocked mountain roads, including sections of National Highway 317, while railway services in northern Tibet were suspended for safety inspections.
Tremors were also felt in Lhasa, Qamdo and Nyingchi, hundreds of kilometres from the epicentre.
More than 1,600 rescue personnel have been mobilised to assist affected communities. The deployment includes 300 members of the Tibet Military Region and the Tibet Armed Police Corps.
The Western Theater Command has also sent reconnaissance drones to survey the difficult terrain and identify damaged buildings.
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Relief teams reached the affected area early Friday and began setting up temporary camps at local primary schools.
Emergency supplies include 1,000 prefabricated housing units, 3,000 winter tents, folding beds, quilts and stoves to help survivors cope with sub-zero temperatures.
Rescue and relief efforts are continuing as authorities assess the extent of the damage and work to provide shelter and essential supplies to those affected.
