In brief
A seismic event of magnitude 7.0 slammed into Baqên County, Tibet, Thursday night, claiming at least 16 lives and injuring 65 more, with 11 severe injuries. Emergency officials declared a state of emergency and dispatched rescue squads as power supplies were temporarily cut and 339 houses collapsed. Residents, living at some 4,800 metres, fled their homes to seek shelter in tents and cars, fearing aftershocks. The Chinese Premier urged urgent medical care and relocation of affected populations, promising a 50‑million‑yuan disaster relief fund. Despite regional challenges, Tibetan rescue teams—augmented by military drones—work to contain the crisis, while state media remains the primary information outlet amid international media restrictions.
Powerful earthquake hits Tibet, killing 16 people
A magnitude 7.0 quake struck Baqên County in the Nagqu region of Tibet on Thursday night, killing at least 16 people and injuring dozens, Chinese state media reported.
The epicentre was centred 400 kilometres (250 miles) northeast of Lhasa, the region’s capital. Authorities declared a state of emergency and dispatched rescue teams; 65 people were injured, 11 with severe wounds.
Power supplies were cut off and 339 homes collapsed. By Friday morning, power had been restored in some areas.
Survivors reported the shaking was violent enough to feel as if hundreds of yaks were running past. Residents spent the night outdoors in subzero temperatures, fearing aftershocks could trap them inside collapsed houses.
China’s Premier Li Qiang called for urgent rescue, medical treatment and relocation of the affected population, noting the region’s high altitude (around 4,800 metres) and propensity for aftershocks.
The Ministry of Emergency Management dispatched a specialised working group, and the government announced a 50‑million‑yuan ($7.5m) relief fund for the disaster.
The region is prone to devastating seismic activity: a 6.2‑magnitude quake in 2023 killed more than 120 people in nearby Gansu province. Less than two months ago, floods and landslides triggered by a glacier collapse killed at least 1,400 people in Tibet and Nepal, with many missing.
Despite harsh conditions, rescue teams on the Tibetan plateau have proven capable of rapid mobilisation. In January 2025, after a powerful earthquake in Shigatse, military personnel, firefighters, police and specialist units reached the area within hours, assisted by drones for aerial surveys.
Information about the disaster is mainly sourced from Chinese state media because foreign press is restricted and reports are heavily censored. The latest updates emphasise the ongoing rescue efforts and the government’s commitment to support survivors and rebuild affected communities.
