The earthquake struck Baqen County in Nagqu on Thursday night, collapsing hundreds of homes and livestock sheds as rescue operations continued.
At least 16 people were killed and dozens injured after a magnitude-7.0 earthquake struck Baqen County in Nagqu City in China’s Xizang Autonomous Region on Thursday night.
CGTN.com reported that the earthquake struck at 10.33 pm local time on Thursday. Footage from China’s state broadcaster CCTV captured the tense moments as the tremors hit the area.
According to Nagqu’s emergency management bureau, 16 people had died and 46 others were injured as of 5.20 am on Friday. Of the injured, 11 were reported to be in serious condition.
The Nagqu media office said at least 339 homes and 20 livestock sheds had collapsed in the earthquake. The tremors also triggered rockfalls, while communication services were disrupted in parts of the region.
According to reports, more than 1,600 personnel have been deployed to assist affected residents and carry out rescue and relief operations. Railway authorities suspended train services as a precautionary measure.
The situation could become more challenging as intermittent snowfall is forecast in the affected region over the next three days, raising concerns for residents affected by the disaster and those involved in rescue efforts.
India’s National Centre for Seismology said the earthquake struck Nagqu City at 8.03 pm Indian Standard Time, at a depth of 173 kilometres and around 400 kilometres from Lhasa.
Rescue operations were continuing as authorities responded to the damage and assisted those affected.
