Beijing (GNP): A magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck Tibet late on Thursday, killing at least 16 people and injuring 32 others. The figures come from the emergency management bureau of Nagqu City in northern Tibet.
According to the bureau, 11 of the injured are in serious condition, while 21 have minor injuries. These numbers were reported as of 2:25 am on Friday and may change as rescue work continues.
The quake hit a sparsely populated, high-altitude county in Nagqu at a depth of 10 kilometres, according to the China Earthquake Networks Centre (CENC). The average elevation within five kilometres of the epicentre is around 4,864 metres above sea level.
The epicentre lies about 400 kilometres from Lhasa, the regional capital. That distance and the thin population of the area shape how quickly help can reach the worst affected communities.
Local authorities reported injuries in villages near the epicentre, and some houses developed cracks after the tremors. State media footage showed residents leaving their homes and sheltering outdoors or inside cars.
Also Read: Ebola Crosses Borders as DRC Cases Rebound After Brief Dip
One resident described being woken by the shaking and hearing the house creak. Several aftershocks of around magnitude 3 to 4 have since been recorded in surrounding areas, which explains why many people stayed outside.
Local fire and rescue teams have been mobilised and sent to the affected area. Officials have not yet given a full account of the damage to buildings and infrastructure.
The earthquake is reported to be the strongest to hit China since January 2024. In 2010, a magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck Yushu in neighbouring Qinghai province, killing at least 2,698 people and leaving nearly 300 others missing.
Managing Editor at Global News Pakistan (GNP), with a Bachelor's degree in International Relations from Riphah International University, graduated with a Gold Medal. Reach out at sabahtareengnp@gmail.com
