Tibet Earthquake: 16 Reportedly Dead, 46 Injured After 7.0-Magnitude Tremor

A powerful earthquake reportedly measuring 7.0 on the Richter scale struck a remote mountainous region of Tibet on Thursday. News reports said at least 16 people had died and 46 others were injured, including 11 who sustained serious injuries. The tremor damaged or destroyed an estimated 339 homes, leaving residents frightened and forcing many to flee their houses. According to the US Geological Survey (USGS), the earthquake occurred at 14:33 GMT, with its epicentre in a mountainous area approximately 190 kilometres east-northeast of Nagqu and around 390 kilometres northeast of Lhasa.

Rescue and relief operations are continuing in the affected areas, with more than 300 police personnel reportedly deployed to assist residents and assess the damage. Footage shared by media outlets showed people rushing out of restaurants and homes, while items fell from supermarket shelves. Lhawang Dagpo, deputy head of Maru Township, reportedly told Xinhua that the shaking was felt inside the township office and caused cracks in its walls. Smaller tremors measuring magnitudes 3 and 4 were also reported after the main earthquake. The disaster has renewed concerns in Tibet, where an earthquake in Tingri County in January 2025 reportedly killed at least 126 people. Authorities are continuing to assess the latest damage and provide assistance to those affected.