JUST IN: 16 Dead, 32 injured as Magnitude 7.0 Quake Hits Tibet
Beijing/Lhasa—October 22, 2026—At least 16 people have been killed and 32 others injured after a powerful magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck China’s Tibet Autonomous Region late on Thursday, local officials confirmed.
The quake hit at around 10:33 p.m. local time (14:33 GMT) in Baqen County of Nagqu City in northern Tibet. Over 300 houses collapsed in the sparsely populated, high-altitude area, according to the city’s emergency management bureau.
Strong Shaking in Remote Region
The epicentre was located approximately 190 kilometres east-northeast of Nagqu and about 400 kilometres from the regional capital, Lhasa, at a shallow depth of around 10 kilometers. The average elevation near the epicentre exceeds 4,800 metres.
Of the 32 injured, 11 were reported in serious condition and 21 sustained minor injuries as of early Friday. Damage assessments continue as disaster relief operations get underway.
Chinese authorities activated a Level II emergency response, the second-highest tier. Local fire and rescue teams have been mobilized, while railway services through the affected areas were suspended. Power and telecommunications services were disrupted in parts of the county.
Aftershocks and Ongoing Response
Smaller aftershocks of magnitude 3 and 4 were recorded in surrounding regions following the main tremor. Residents in nearby villages fled their homes as the ground shook, with some houses developing visible cracks.
The earthquake is the strongest to hit China since January 2024. The U.S. Geological Survey and China Earthquake Networks Center both recorded the event as magnitude 7.0.
Rescue and relief efforts remain ongoing in the remote mountainous terrain as officials work to assess the full extent of the damage and support affected communities.
This report is based on statements from Chinese officials, Xinhua, and international seismic agencies as of October 22–23, 2026.
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