Tibet Earthquake Kills 16, Injures 76 as China Ramps Up Rescue Efforts

A powerful earthquake in China’s Tibet Autonomous Region has killed at least 16 people and injured 76 others, with rescue teams continuing to assess damage and assist displaced residents after the magnitude 7.0 tremor struck the high-altitude region late on Thursday, October 22.

The earthquake hit Baqen County in Nagqu City at approximately 10:33 p.m. local time, according to Chinese authorities. The US Geological Survey (USGS) independently recorded a magnitude 7.0 earthquake at 14:33 UTC, placing its epicentre about 191 kilometres east-northeast of Nagqu at a depth of 18 kilometres.

The reported death toll remained at 16 as of Friday, October 23, while the number of injured rose from earlier estimates to 76, according to local authorities cited by Reuters. Officials warned that buildings weakened by the initial shaking, including structures with cracked walls or leaning sections, could collapse if further tremors occur.

The earthquake damaged or destroyed hundreds of homes and livestock shelters, disrupting communities in the sparsely populated mountainous area. Chinese state media reported that 339 homes had collapsed or sustained damage, alongside 20 livestock sheds. More than 12,000 residents were reportedly moved to safer locations as authorities worked to assess the damage and provide temporary accommodation.

The scale of the emergency prompted Beijing to raise its national earthquake response from Level IV to Level III on Friday. The Ministry of Emergency Management dispatched a working team to assist local authorities, while national fire and rescue personnel, police officers and military units were deployed to support search operations, emergency medical care and the delivery of supplies.

China also announced 80 million yuan in funding for relief and recovery. The Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Emergency Management allocated 50 million yuan for emergency assistance, while the National Development and Reform Commission earmarked another 30 million yuan for restoring damaged infrastructure and public service facilities. The funding is intended to support rescue operations and help affected communities begin recovering from the disaster.

President Xi Jinping instructed authorities to prioritize finding survivors, treating the injured and ensuring that displaced residents receive shelter and other essential assistance. He also called for close monitoring of seismic activity and weather conditions to reduce the risk of further harm, according to Chinese state media.

The USGS said the earthquake occurred within the Tibetan Plateau, where tectonic forces associated with the collision of the Indian and Eurasian plates contribute to frequent seismic activity. Its assessment indicated that approximately 132,000 people experienced moderate to severe shaking, although the sparsely populated location limited the number of people directly exposed compared with a similar earthquake near a major urban centre.

The region’s elevation and harsh weather add to the difficulties facing emergency responders. Many settlements are scattered across remote terrain, and cold temperatures can increase the risks for people who have left damaged homes. Authorities have been distributing tents, temporary housing units, beds, blankets and other necessities while inspections continue.

The official casualty figures have also drawn scrutiny from Tibetan exile authorities. In a statement issued on October 23, the Central Tibetan Administration expressed concern about the destruction and said preliminary reports from local sources suggested the actual death toll could be higher than the figures released by Chinese authorities. It also raised concerns about reports that Tibetan volunteers travelling to help affected communities were being prevented from entering the disaster zone. These claims have not been independently verified, and the administration did not provide a separately confirmed overall casualty count.

The disaster has renewed attention to the risks faced by communities living across the seismically active Himalayan and Tibetan plateau region. In January 2025, another major earthquake struck Dingri County in southern Tibet, killing at least 126 people according to Chinese authorities. That earlier disaster prompted extensive rescue operations and highlighted the vulnerability of buildings and isolated settlements to powerful ground movements.

For residents of Nagqu, the immediate concerns remain locating anyone who may still need help, securing damaged buildings and providing safe shelter as aftershocks remain possible. The final human and economic cost will depend on the outcome of continuing assessments, while the pace of recovery will hinge on restoring damaged homes, infrastructure and essential services across the affected communities.