Earthquake in Tibet: 16 Killed, 76 Injured and Over 12,000 Evacuated Following 7.0 Magnitude Quake

A 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck China’s Tibet Autonomous Region, leaving 16 people dead and 76 others injured, according to authorities. The shallow earthquake hit Baqen County in Nagqu City at a depth of less than 10 kilometres.

Following the disaster, more than 330 houses were reported collapsed or damaged, and over 12,000 residents have been evacuated. State-run media reported that search and rescue operations, along with the resettlement of affected individuals, are currently underway.

To support immediate relief efforts, China has allocated 50 million yuan in emergency disaster relief funds, alongside an additional 30 million yuan earmarked for recovery initiatives. A detailed breakdown of the 76 injuries, including the count of seriously hurt individuals, has not been immediately released.

Infrastructure and utility restoration efforts are progressing in the affected region. Passenger trains on the impacted section of the Qinghai-Xizang Railway resumed operations at reduced speeds. Additionally, the State Grid Xizang Electric Power Co Ltd restored electricity to 1,937 households in Baqen County.

Authorities have dispatched relief supplies to the region, including 1,000 sets of prefabricated houses, 3,239 tents, 2,821 folding beds, and 4,280 quilts, among other essential items.

Weather conditions present additional challenges for relief operations. The epicentre area features an average altitude of more than 4,800 metres, with temperatures expected to drop to minus nine degrees Celsius over the coming days, accompanied by intermittent snowfall forecasts.

President Xi Jinping ordered all-out search and rescue operations for missing persons and prompt medical treatment for the injured, emphasising the need to minimise casualties. Premier Li Qiang also called for effective disaster prevention and response measures.

Seismic activity in the region is driven by its geography, as the Tibetan Plateau is located where the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates collide, making it prone to powerful earthquakes.

"Natural disasters of this magnitude present immediate operational and logistical challenges for regional infrastructure, supply chains, and local communities. The rapid allocation of emergency funds and the swift restoration of essential services like power and rail transport highlight the critical importance of disaster preparedness and rapid response frameworks in high-risk geographic zones." — Dr. Shishir Gupta, Founder & CEO, StartupLanes