Magnitude 7 earthquake strikes Tibet leaving at least 16 people dead

A magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck the Tibet autonomous region in China on Thursday night, killing at least 16 people, according to reports from The Guardian, ABC News Australia, the South China Morning Post, and Reuters. State news agency Xinhua reported via ABC News Australia that the quake struck Nagqu City at about 10:33 p.m. local time on Thursday. [1][2][3][11]

The quake collapsed hundreds of homes in the area, with the Guardian, ABC News Australia, and the South China Morning Post citing official sources stating that at least 300 to 339 homes collapsed, alongside 20 livestock sheds. Search and rescue efforts were launched immediately in mountainous Baqing county, with over 1,600 people deployed to assist with local rescue operations, according to the Guardian. [1][2][3]

Reports differed slightly on the number of injured survivors following the quake. The Guardian and the South China Morning Post reported that 54 people were injured, while Reuters reported that the number of injuries had risen to 65. Earlier, ABC News Australia reported that 32 people were injured, with 11 in serious condition and 21 suffering minor injuries. [1][2][3][11]

At least seven aftershocks were recorded after the initial quake, the Guardian reported. Chinese President Xi Jinping ordered urgent search and rescue efforts on Friday morning, instructing emergency workers to monitor seismic activity and weather changes in the cold, high-altitude region, according to the South China Morning Post. [1][3]