16 Killed, Scores Injured As Powerful 7.0-Magnitude Earthquake Strikes China’s Xizang

LHASA, Oct 23 – At least 16 people have been killed and over 50 others injured after a major 7.0-magnitude earthquake struck Baqen County of Nagqu City in southwest China’s Xizang Autonomous Region late Thursday night, local emergency management authorities confirmed.

The tremor occurred at 10:33 PM Beijing Time on Thursday, October 22, 2026, causing widespread destruction across the high-altitude region.

According to updated reports from emergency authorities on Friday morning, 11 of the injured remain in serious condition, while over 330 houses collapsed or sustained severe structural damage.

More than 12,000 local residents have been evacuated as emergency responders work through freezing conditions, with temperatures expected to drop as low as minus nine degrees Celsius in the coming days.

Rescue Mobilization, Infrastructure Damage, and Emergency Directives

Key emergency response measures and field assessments following the quake include:

• Deployment of Emergency Personnel: Over 300 police officers and 347 fire and rescue personnel were immediately dispatched to the epicenter to conduct search-and-rescue operations.
• National Emergency Escalation: The State Council earthquake relief headquarters and the Ministry of Emergency Management upgraded the national earthquake emergency response to Level III to accelerate aid distribution.
• Relief Logistics: Emergency authorities have delivered disaster supplies to affected zones, including 1,000 sets of prefabricated housing, over 3,200 thermal tents, 2,800 folding beds, stoves, winter clothing, and medical supplies.
• Highway Closures & Infrastructure Impact: The quake triggered landslide rockfalls along National Highway 317, forcing authorities to restrict traffic to emergency and relief vehicles while clearing crews remove debris.
• Adverse Weather Challenges: Local meteorological bureaus warned of intermittent snowfall and sub-zero temperatures over the next three days, complicating survival and rescue efforts in affected townships.

Chinese President Xi Jinping called for an all-out search-and-rescue effort to minimize further casualties and ensure medical care for survivors.

–NMT