Magnitude 7 earthquake in Tibet kills 16 and injures 32
The quake struck southwestern Tibet late on Thursday, prompting a level-II emergency response, China's state news agency Xinhua reported.
At a glance
- A magnitude 7 earthquake struck southwestern Tibet at about 10:33pm local time (14:33 GMT) on Thursday.
- Xinhua reported 16 deaths and 32 injuries, with 11 of the injured in serious condition.
- The USGS placed the epicentre about 190km east-northeast of Nagqu; it is China's strongest quake since January 2024.
A magnitude 7 earthquake struck southwestern Tibet in China late on Thursday, killing 16 people and injuring 32 others, China's state news agency Xinhua reported. The quake hit at about 10:33pm local time (14:33 GMT), according to Xinhua, which cited Nagqu City's emergency management bureau.
Casualties and emergency response
Eleven of the injured were in serious condition, while 21 sustained minor injuries, the agency said. A level-II earthquake disaster emergency response was activated in the area, Xinhua reported.
The toll of 16 dead and 32 injured came from the emergency management bureau in Nagqu and was published by the Chinese state news agency.
Where the earthquake struck
Nagqu lies in the Tibet region in China's southwest; Lhasa is the regional capital. The US Geological Survey said the epicentre was in a mountainous area about 190km east-northeast of Nagqu and 390km northeast of Lhasa.
Local authorities found at least two people injured in a village near the epicentre, according to Xinhua. Some houses in the villages closest to the epicentre showed cracks.
Residents shelter outside
Videos released by local state media showed people leaving their homes and seeking shelter outside or in their cars parked on the street.
The earthquake is the strongest to hit China since January 2024.
Source: Al Jazeera.
Questions and answers
- How many people died in the Tibet earthquake?
- Sixteen people were killed and 32 injured when a magnitude 7 earthquake struck southwestern Tibet on Thursday night, according to China's state news agency Xinhua, which cited Nagqu City's emergency management bureau.
- Where was the epicentre of the Tibet earthquake?
- The US Geological Survey said the epicentre was in a mountainous area about 190km east-northeast of Nagqu and 390km northeast of the regional capital, Lhasa.
- Was the Tibet quake the strongest in China recently?
- According to Al Jazeera, the magnitude 7 earthquake is the strongest to hit China since January 2024.
