At least 16 dead in Tibet quake

A powerful 7.0-magnitude earthquake struck Tibet's remote region, resulting in at least 16 deaths and 32 injuries, according to state news agency Xinhua. The disaster occurred on Thursday at 10.33pm local time, with more than 300 houses collapsing in the aftermath. Officials were still assessing the extent of the damage, and relief efforts were underway.

The earthquake's epicenter was located in Maru township, Baqen county, approximately 190km east-northeast of Nagqu and 390km northeast of Lhasa, as reported by the US Geological Survey. The quake struck at a shallow depth of 10km, prompting the activation of a level-II earthquake disaster emergency response. Township deputy head Lhawang Dagpo confirmed that the quake was clearly felt at the township office, which sustained cracks in its walls.

Power and telecommunications services were disrupted in the affected county seat. Earthquakes are a frequent occurrence in China, with a similar incident in January 2025 claiming the lives of at least 126 people in Tibet's rural Tingri county.