Tibet Earthquake: Powerful Quake Collapses Hundreds of Houses in China’s Tibet Region, at Least 16 Dead

## Search and rescue operations underway after 339 houses and 20 livestock sheds collapsed A powerful earthquake measuring 7 in magnitude struck China’s Tibet region on Thursday evening, killing at least 16 people and injuring 54 others. Hundreds of houses collapsed in the northern regional city of Nagqu. According to the Nagqu Media Office, citing local government officials, search and rescue operations are underway after at least 339 houses and 20 livestock sheds collapsed. More than 1,600 personnel from the local county have been deployed for relief operations. Supplies have reached the affected area, including 1,000 prefabricated housing units, around 3,000 tents, folding beds, flashlights and winter clothing. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) said the earthquake struck at 10:33 p.m. local time. Its epicentre was located 191 kilometres (119 miles) east-northeast of Nagqu, in a sparsely populated, high-altitude area of northern Tibet. The agency reported the earthquake’s depth at 18 kilometres (11 miles). According to the USGS website, at least seven aftershocks measuring between 4.3 and 5.2 in magnitude were recorded. All occurred at a depth of 10 kilometres (six miles). China’s state-run news agency Xinhua reported on Friday that communications had been disrupted in parts of the region. Local railway authorities took emergency measures to halt trains passing through the affected area. Xinhua reported that the earthquake also triggered rockslides, forcing local authorities to close a section of National Highway 317. Only emergency, rescue and government assistance vehicles have been allowed to pass while workers clear the debris. According to Xinhua, intermittent snowfall is expected in the earthquake-hit area over the next three days. China’s state broadcaster CCTV reported that this was the strongest earthquake to hit the region in the past five years. Chinese President Xi Jinping called for full-scale efforts to carry out relief operations and provide medical assistance. Nagqu is located more than 300 kilometres (186 miles) north of Lhasa, the capital of Tibet.