Tibet earthquake kills 16, injures 65 as hundreds of homes collapse

By Ogundele Eniola

At least 16 people have been killed and 65 others injured after a powerful magnitude-7.0 earthquake struck China’s Tibet Autonomous Region, prompting emergency rescue operations and the evacuation of thousands of residents.

The earthquake struck at approximately 10:33 p.m. local time on Thursday, October 22, in a mountainous area of Nagqu in northern Tibet, according to Chinese state media and local authorities.

The United States Geological Survey placed the epicentre approximately 190 kilometres east-northeast of Nagqu, at a relatively shallow depth. The tremor was followed by hundreds of aftershocks, further complicating efforts to assess the damage and reach affected communities.

Authorities reported that at least 339 homes and 20 livestock shelters had collapsed in the affected area. Electricity and telecommunications services were also disrupted, while railway services were suspended as officials assessed the safety of transport infrastructure.

Videos released by Chinese state media showed residents rushing out of buildings as the earthquake struck, with some seeking shelter outdoors and inside parked vehicles.

Rescue teams, police officers and emergency personnel were deployed to affected communities to search for survivors, treat injured residents and help families relocate to safer locations.

More than 12,000 people had been relocated, according to state media reports, as authorities continued to assess the full extent of the destruction.

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Chinese President Xi Jinping directed authorities to prioritise search-and-rescue operations, medical treatment for the injured and the provision of emergency supplies to affected residents.

He also called for close monitoring of seismic activity and weather conditions to prevent further casualties, particularly because the affected communities are located in a high-altitude region experiencing cold temperatures.

The difficult terrain and remote location of the earthquake zone have raised concerns about the speed of rescue operations. Officials are also assessing the risk of further structural damage as aftershocks continue.

Tibet lies within a seismically active region where the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates interact, contributing to frequent earthquakes across the Himalayan region.

The latest disaster is among the most powerful earthquakes to strike China since January 2024. In January 2025, an earthquake in Tibet’s Tingri County killed at least 126 people and injured many others.

Authorities have continued rescue and relief operations as they assess damage to homes, infrastructure and local communities. The casualty figures could change as emergency workers reach more affected areas and receive further reports from residents