Strong earthquake strikes remote Tibet region of China, killing at least 16

A 7.0-magnitude earthquake struck China's Tibet Autonomous Region on Thursday, 22 October, at 10:33pm local time. State news agency Xinhua, citing local authorities, reported that at least 16 people died and 32 others were injured. More than 300 houses collapsed.

Epicentre in mountainous terrain

The US Geological Survey (USGS) said the epicentre lay in a mountainous area roughly 190 kilometres east-northeast of Nagqu and 390 kilometres northeast of the regional capital, Lhasa. The quake was shallow, at a depth of 10 kilometres. According to Xinhua, the epicentre was in Maru township, Baqen county.

Response

Officials are still assessing the damage, and disaster relief efforts continue. A level-II earthquake disaster emergency response has been activated in the area. Lhawang Dagpo, deputy head of the township, said the shaking was clearly felt at the township office, where the walls cracked. Power and telecommunications services were disrupted in the county seat.

Earlier quake

Earthquakes are relatively common in China. In January 2025, at least 126 people were killed by an earthquake in Tingri county, in rural Tibet.