Tibet Earthquake Death Toll Remains 16 as Injuries Rise to 65
Tibet Earthquake: Rescue teams assist residents after powerful tremors in northern China.
A powerful Tibet earthquake has injured 65 people in southwestern China, according to local authorities. The death toll remains at 16, the government said in a social media post on Friday.
The magnitude 7 earthquake struck Nagqu, a sparsely populated city in northern Tibet. It is the strongest earthquake to hit China since January 2024.
Rescue Teams Deployed to Earthquake Zone
More than 300 police officers have been sent to the epicentre to support rescue and emergency relief operations. The Nagqu police department confirmed the deployment in a post on WeChat early Friday.
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The teams include traffic and community police personnel. Officers are inspecting homes for damage and helping residents move to safer locations.
A video shared by police on Douyin, China’s version of TikTok, showed officers loading supplies into a truck at night. Other footage showed officers using flashlights to inspect a building and surrounding rubble.
Meanwhile, more than 12,000 people have been moved to safety, state news agency Xinhua reported.
Residents Seek Shelter After Strong Tremors
Videos released by local state media showed residents leaving their homes after the earthquake. Some sought shelter outdoors, while others remained in cars parked along the streets.
One resident said the strong tremor woke them from sleep. They also heard their house creaking as the earthquake shook the area.
The China Earthquake Networks Center reported that monitoring stations had recorded 413 aftershocks. Authorities continue to assess the impact of the main earthquake and its subsequent tremors.
Previous Major Earthquake in Qinghai
The latest disaster has renewed attention on the risks posed by powerful earthquakes in western China.
In 2010, a magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck Yushu in neighbouring Qinghai province. The disaster killed at least 2,698 people and left nearly 300 others missing.
Authorities in Tibet are continuing emergency response efforts as officials assess damage and support affected residents.
