A powerful 7.0-magnitude earthquake struck a remote mountainous region in China's Tibet on Thursday, leaving at least 16 people dead and 32 others injured. According to state news agency Xinhua, which cited local authorities, the tremor occurred at 10:33 pm local time (1433 GMT).
The United States Geological Survey reported that the earthquake originated at a shallow depth of 10 kilometres. Its epicentre was identified in Maru township, located within Baqen county. This area is situated approximately 190 kilometres east-northeast of Nagqu and 390 kilometres northeast of the regional capital, Lhasa.
Reports from the scene indicate significant infrastructure damage, with more than 300 houses collapsing as a result of the seismic activity. Lhawang Dagpo, the deputy head of Maru township, confirmed that the quake was felt strongly at the township office, which sustained visible cracks in its walls. Additionally, officials reported that power and telecommunications services have been disrupted throughout the county seat.
In response to the disaster, authorities have activated a level-II earthquake emergency response. While disaster relief operations are currently underway, officials continue to evaluate the full extent of the damage. Earthquakes are a relatively frequent occurrence in China; this latest incident follows a deadly tremor in January 2025, which claimed at least 126 lives in Tibet's rural Tingri county.
