Tibet Quake Flattens Homes, Kills Dozen

A powerful seismic event struck the northern Tibet region of China on Thursday evening, resulting in at least 16 deaths and 46 injuries. The shaking was centered in a remote, high-altitude area, with the most severe structural damage reported in and around the city of Nagqu. Local officials confirmed that the intensity of the quake caused widespread destruction to residential and agricultural buildings across the affected zone.

According to reports from the Nagqu media office, city government data indicates that at least 339 homes have collapsed. In addition to the residential losses, 20 livestock sheds were also destroyed. Among the 46 people injured, 11 are in serious condition while the remaining 35 sustained minor injuries. Search and rescue teams are currently active in the area, working to locate survivors and assess the extent of the damage.

The rescue mobilization has been significant. More than 1,600 personnel from the local county have been deployed to assist in the operations. Logistics teams have begun delivering essential relief supplies to the region. These shipments include 1,000 prefabricated housing units, approximately 3,000 tents, and folding beds. Flashlights and winter clothing have also been distributed to help residents cope with the sudden displacement.

Infrastructure disruptions have complicated the immediate response. China's official news agency Xinhua reported on Friday that communication networks were down in parts of the region. To prevent further incidents, local railway authorities took emergency measures to halt train traffic through the affected corridor. This pause in service allows for a thorough safety inspection of the tracks before regular operations can resume.

Road access has also been restricted. The earthquake triggered rockfalls that blocked a section of National Highway 317. Officials have closed this route to general traffic, permitting only emergency, rescue, and official support vehicles to pass. Crews are working to clear the debris from the roadway so that the highway can be reopened to the public.

Weather conditions are expected to add difficulty to the recovery efforts. Xinhua noted that intermittent snow is forecast to fall across the quake zone over the next three days. This weather pattern could slow down rescue teams and make the distribution of supplies more challenging for those working in the field.

CCTV, the national broadcaster, described the event as the most significant earthquake to hit the region in the last five years. The U.S. Geological Survey provided specific details on the tremor, stating it occurred at 10:33 p.m. local time. The quake had a depth of 18 kilometers. Its epicenter was located 191 kilometers east-northeast of Nagqu.

The area is sparsely populated and situated at high altitude. Nagqu, the nearest major city, lies more than 300 kilometers north of Lhasa, the capital of the Tibetan region. The distance and terrain present ongoing logistical challenges for emergency responders as they continue their work.