In brief
At 2 am Thursday, a 7.0 earthquake hit Baqên County in the Nagqu region of Tibet, sending 16 people to the morgue and injuring 65 others. Authorities declared a state of emergency and deployed rescue teams to the rugged plateau, 4,800 m above sea level. More than 400 aftershocks rattled the area, while 400 families were relocated. China has earmarked 50 million yuan (≈$7.5 m) for relief, and military drones are being used to scout the collapsed villages. The incident highlights the region’s vulnerability to shallow earthquakes and the challenges of delivering aid in remote, high‑altitude settings.
Breaking: A 7.0‑magnitude quake rattles Tibet’s Nagqu zone, killing 16, injuring 65.
The tremor struck Baqên County around 2 am Thursday, the epicentre about 400 km east of Lhasa. Its sharp, shallow depth meant the shock felt intensely across the 4,800‑m high landscape.
Rescue crews were dispatched immediately, traversing closed roads blocked by rockfalls. They reached 339 collapsed homes and lifted dozens of trapped residents, while power was cut in the region but largely restored by Friday.
The USGS recorded a series of 7 tremors nearby, the largest 5.2. Over 400 aftershocks have followed, harrowing survivors who fled outdoors in freezing night‑time temperatures.
Premier Li Qiang called for urgent medical aid and resettlement. China announced a 50 million‑yuan relief package and deployed drones to map the wreckage and accelerate search operations.
Tibet’s proximity to seismic fault lines means earthquakes are a constant threat. The region’s rugged terrain and limited infrastructure make rescue a formidable challenge, but local teams have proven swift and effective in past crises.
