Beijing/Lhasa, October 23 : At least 16 people were killed and 65 others injured after a powerful earthquake measuring 7.0 in magnitude struck Baqen County in Nagqu City of China’s Tibet Autonomous Region, according to the city’s earthquake relief headquarters.
The earthquake struck at around 10:33 pm on Thursday, prompting authorities to activate a Level III emergency response for natural disaster relief on Friday.
Of the injured, 11 people were reported to be in serious condition, while the remaining victims sustained minor injuries. More than 330 houses were either destroyed or damaged in the earthquake, state-run Xinhua news agency reported.
Authorities are continuing to assess the extent of the damage as rescue and relief operations remain underway in the affected areas.
Emergency relief supplies began reaching the quake-hit region early Friday. The supplies include 1,000 sets of prefabricated houses, more than 3,200 tents, over 2,800 folding beds, quilts, stoves, clothing and other essential items.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has directed authorities to carry out all-out search and rescue operations for missing people and ensure prompt medical treatment for those injured. He also called for every possible effort to minimise casualties.
The Tibetan Plateau is highly vulnerable to earthquakes because it lies in a tectonically active region where the Indian and Eurasian plates converge and collide, generating significant seismic activity.
Authorities are continuing relief efforts while evaluating the full extent of the destruction caused by the powerful tremor.
