A 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck early Thursday in Tibet, located in southwestern China, which, according to reports, has resulted in at least 16 deaths and 32 injuries. This earthquake is the strongest to hit the region in the past five years.
Widespread Destruction in the Mountainous Area
According to local officials, at least 339 residential buildings have been destroyed in this earthquake, and 20 livestock pens have also been damaged. Among the injured, 11 people have been transferred to the hospital in critical condition. Rescue operations are currently underway, and officials are assessing the extent of the damages.
Infrastructure and Geographical Impacts
Reports also indicate that power and communication lines in the area have been disrupted. The epicenter of the earthquake is located about 190 kilometers northeast of Nagqu, a city approximately 300 kilometers north of Lhasa. The depth of this earthquake was only 10 kilometers, which makes shallow earthquakes generally more dangerous due to greater destruction.
China is typically prone to earthquakes, and in recent history, several deadly earthquakes have occurred in the country. For example, in January 2025, an earthquake near the summit of Everest in the Tingri region of Tibet resulted in at least 126 deaths. Additionally, in 2010, a 7.1 magnitude earthquake in Qinghai province, which borders Tibet, caused 2,698 fatalities.
Rescue operations for the victims and damage assessment are ongoing. Local officials are seeking to provide immediate assistance to those affected by this incident.
