A powerful earthquake measuring magnitude 7 struck northern Tibet in southwestern China late Thursday, killing 16 people and injuring 32 others, according to state news agency Xinhua.
The tremor occurred at approximately 10:33 p.m. local time in a remote, high-altitude area of Nagqu, with the epicentre located about 10 kilometres below the ground. The region surrounding the epicentre has an average elevation of nearly 4,864 metres.
Of the 32 injured people, 11 were reported to be in serious condition as of 2:25 a.m. Friday, while the remaining 21 sustained minor injuries, Xinhua reported, citing local authorities.
Officials also reported injuries in a village near the epicentre. Some houses in nearby villages developed visible cracks following the earthquake, according to state broadcaster reports.
Footage released by state-run media showed residents evacuating their homes and gathering outdoors or inside vehicles for safety. One resident described being awakened by the intense shaking and hearing the structure of the house creak during the tremor.
China’s Earthquake Networks Center said the quake was strongly felt across the surrounding area. The epicentre was approximately 400 kilometres from Lhasa, the Tibetan capital.
Firefighters and rescue personnel have been dispatched to the affected region to assist local communities. Several smaller earthquakes, measuring around magnitude 3 to 4, were also detected in surrounding areas after the main tremor.
The earthquake was described as the strongest to hit China since January 2024.