A magnitude-7.0 earthquake struck Tibet’s Nagqu area late Thursday, killing at least 16 people, injuring dozens and collapsing hundreds of homes, and China launched a major rescue operation.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the quake struck at 10:33 p.m. local time in a sparsely populated, high-altitude region of northern Tibet. The agency said the quake’s center was about 191 kilometres east-northeast of Nagqu. It estimated the quake was 18 kilometres deep.
As officials assessed the damage, reports gave different injury totals. One update put the number of injured at 54. Later reports said as many as 76 people were hurt.
Local authorities said 339 homes and 20 livestock sheds collapsed. Search teams worked through the night to reach affected communities. Chinese President Xi Jinping called for a full search-and-rescue effort and prompt medical care for the injured.
More than 1,600 local personnel were deployed. Emergency supplies, including tents, temporary housing, beds and winter clothing, were sent to the region. Residents sought shelter outdoors or in cars.
Rescue and relief work continued Friday.