Tibet hit by powerful 7.0 magnitude earthquake, 16 dead and more than 45 injured

Tibet (The Uttam Hindu): A powerful 7-magnitude earthquake struck Tibet, killing 16 people and injuring more than 45. Several injured people are reported to be in critical condition. Nagqu city suffered extensive damage with around 340 houses collapsing and many residents left homeless. Rescue teams launched operations to evacuate people trapped under the debris and shifted the injured to hospitals. Temporary tents were also arranged to provide shelter to displaced families.

Officials in Nagqu confirmed that several buildings had collapsed, trapping residents beneath the rubble. Police and fire department personnel helped evacuate people to safer locations, while rescue workers carried out search operations. The earthquake was also felt in Baken, Kamdo and Nyingchi. Power outages affected several areas and landslides blocked roads, making it difficult for rescue teams to reach remote, high-altitude locations.

According to the US Geological Survey (USGS), the earthquake's epicentre was in Baken County, at a depth of approximately 18 kilometres, around 191 kilometres east-northeast of Nagqu. The tremors struck at around 10:30 pm local time prompting residents to flee their homes. Tibet lies in a seismically active region where the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates continue to interact. The pressure generated by their movement can build up in rocks and release suddenly, triggering earthquakes. The region's rugged terrain and high altitude further complicate rescue operations and the delivery of essential supplies, medical assistance and temporary shelter to affected communities.