Magnitude-7.0 earthquake in Tibet kills 16, injures 65 in Baqên County

A magnitude‑7.0 earthquake struck Baqên County in the Nagqu region of Tibet on Thursday night, killing at least 16 people and injuring dozens more, Chinese state media reported. The tremor hit the high‑altitude plateau about 400 km northeast of Lhasa, the regional capital, and prompted an emergency declaration from local authorities.

The quake hit a seismically active part of the Tibetan plateau that is prone to shallow, destructive earthquakes. The region sits at roughly 4,800 metres above sea level, where thin air and cold temperatures make rescue work harder. Power was cut to many villages, and more than 12,400 residents have been moved to temporary shelters. Rockfall has blocked mountain roads, further delaying aid crews. The United States Geological Survey recorded seven aftershocks near the epicentre, the strongest at magnitude 5.2 and a depth of 10 km, while Chinese monitors logged over 400 aftershocks in the hours after the main shock.

Local officials said 65 people were injured, including 11 with serious wounds. More than 339 homes collapsed, and many families now live in tents or cars to avoid aftershocks that could trap them inside damaged structures. Survivors described the shaking as violent, with one resident saying it felt like “several hundred yaks running past.” Another recounted scrambling barefoot out of her bedroom as the house lurched. The Ministry of Emergency Management has sent a working group to coordinate rescue and relief, and Premier Li Qiang called for urgent medical treatment, relocation and resettlement of those affected.

China has pledged 50 million yuan (about $7.5 million) for disaster relief in the region. Rescue teams are working to restore power, clear blocked roads and provide medical care. The scale of the damage highlights the vulnerability of remote, high‑altitude communities to seismic events. Ongoing aftershocks and harsh winter conditions mean relief efforts will likely continue for weeks, and the incident may prompt a review of building standards and emergency preparedness in Tibet’s mountainous areas.