Earthquake in Tibet leaves sixteen dead and disrupts infrastructure

BEIJING — A magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck a mountainous region of Tibet on Thursday night, leaving at least 16 people dead and dozens injured, according to Chinese state media reports.

The epicentre hit Baqên County in the Nagqu region, located approximately 400 kilometres north-east of the regional capital, Lhasa. According to Xinhua, the tremor caused widespread disruption, destroying 339 homes and severing electricity supplies in the affected zone, though power was partially restored in some areas by Friday morning.

Emergency services and local authorities face significant logistical hurdles in reaching the high-altitude zone. Rockfalls triggered by the tremors have forced the closure of multiple regional roads, complicating deployment efforts for rescue crews.

The Ministry of Emergency Management dispatched a working group to guide operations on the ground, while Premier Li Qiang called for urgent rescue efforts and medical treatment for the injured. According to local media, more than 12,400 residents have been relocated in the wake of the disaster.

State media reported that 65 people sustained injuries, including 11 individuals with severe wounds. Survivors described terrifying conditions during the initial shock. One resident, Yixi Cuomu, recounted that she was asleep when her house began to shake violently, describing the sensation as feeling “as if several hundred yaks were running past us” before she fled barefoot down her staircase with her legs trembling uncontrollably.

Seismological authorities have tracked extensive post-earthquake activity. The US Geological Survey (USGS) recorded seven tremors near the epicentre, noting the largest measured 5.2 in magnitude at a depth of 10 kilometres. Meanwhile, Chinese state media reported that more than 400 aftershocks have shaken the area since the initial quake.

In response to the disaster, the Chinese government announced the allocation of 50 million yuan (£5.6 million) for relief operations in Tibet.

The region has experienced multiple high-impact natural disasters in recent years. In 2023, a magnitude 6.2 earthquake killed more than 120 people in neighbouring Gansu province. Less than two months ago, Tibet and Nepal faced severe flooding and landslides triggered by a glacier collapse that left at least 1,400 people dead.