Tibet Earthquake Kills 16, Dozens Injured

A powerful magnitude 7.0 earthquake has struck a remote mountainous region of Tibet, killing at least 16 people and injuring dozens as emergency crews race to reach affected communities. Hundreds of homes have collapsed, roads have been blocked by falling rocks and thousands of residents have reportedly been relocated.

The earthquake struck Baqên County in Nagqu, northern Tibet, at approximately 10:33pm local time on Thursday, 22 October, according to Chinese state media.

The epicentre was located in a sparsely populated mountainous area approximately 400 kilometres north-east of Lhasa, the regional capital. The US Geological Survey recorded the earthquake at magnitude 7.0 and a depth of around 10 kilometres, making it a shallow earthquake capable of causing significant damage near the epicentre.

The affected area is part of the Tibet Autonomous Region, which China officially refers to as Xizang. Its remote location and extreme altitude are creating additional challenges for emergency response teams.

Homes Collapse as Residents Are Relocated

The earthquake caused widespread damage across affected communities, with at least 339 homes reported to have collapsed or sustained damage.

Electricity supplies were disrupted following the tremor, although power had reportedly been restored in some locations by Friday morning. Local authorities also reported damage to livestock enclosures.

More than 12,400 people were reportedly relocated as officials worked to move residents away from potentially unsafe buildings and arrange temporary accommodation.

Rockfalls forced authorities to close roads in parts of the region, complicating efforts to reach villages in the mountainous terrain. The scale of the damage remains under assessment as rescue and relief operations continue.

Rescue Teams Mobilised

Chinese authorities have deployed emergency personnel to the affected area to search for survivors, assess damaged buildings and provide medical assistance.

More than 300 police officers were dispatched to support relief work, while the regional fire and rescue corps mobilised hundreds of personnel, according to official reports. Authorities have also begun arranging emergency supplies and temporary shelter for displaced residents.

China’s Premier Li Qiang called for urgent rescue operations, medical treatment for the injured and appropriate resettlement for affected families. He also highlighted the high altitude of the earthquake zone, where communities sit approximately 4,800 metres above sea level.

The Chinese government announced an allocation of 50 million yuan, equivalent to approximately £5.6 million or $7.5 million, for disaster relief efforts.

Residents Describe Terrifying Escape

Survivors have described the frightening moments when the ground began shaking violently.

One resident, Yixi Cuomu, told Tibet Daily that she was asleep when her home began to shake. Realising an earthquake was underway, she rushed outside barefoot, struggling to keep her balance while descending the stairs.

Another witness described the shaking as resembling hundreds of yaks running past at once.

Many residents chose to spend the night outside in freezing temperatures, staying in tents or vehicles because they feared aftershocks could cause further damage to their homes.

Authorities reported that hundreds of aftershocks had been recorded following the main earthquake, heightening concerns among people whose homes may have been structurally weakened.

High-Altitude Conditions Complicate Rescue

The mountainous terrain and thin air at high altitude present significant challenges for rescuers transporting supplies, reaching remote villages and treating injured residents.

The region is also vulnerable to powerful earthquakes because of geological activity associated with the collision of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates.

A major earthquake struck Tibet in January 2025, killing more than 120 people and destroying homes across affected communities. The latest disaster has renewed concerns about the vulnerability of settlements in the region.

Authorities Monitor Damage

The death toll and number of injured people may change as rescue teams reach additional communities and authorities complete their assessments.

Tibet’s restricted media environment also means that official Chinese reports remain an important source of information about the disaster. Some videos circulating online purporting to show the earthquake have not been independently verified.

For now, emergency teams are focused on finding those requiring assistance, treating the injured and providing shelter for displaced residents as the region continues to experience aftershocks.