A severe magnitude 7 earthquake struck China's southwestern region of Tibet late Thursday night, resulting in the deaths of at least 16 people. According to the state news agency Xinhua, citing the emergency management bureau of Nagqu City, the powerful tremors also left 32 others injured, prompting immediate concern from authorities over the extent of potential hidden damage.

Out of the total injured, 11 individuals are reported to be in serious condition, while 21 sustained relatively minor injuries. In response to the disaster, a level-II earthquake disaster emergency response was promptly activated across the affected zone. Officials noted that this seismic event marks the strongest earthquake to hit China since January 2024, exposing vulnerabilities in mountainous infrastructure.

The United States Geological Survey reported that the epicentre was located in a rugged mountainous terrain roughly 190km east-northeast of Nagqu and 390km northeast of the regional capital, Lhasa. Local authorities and rescue teams have identified structural cracks in houses within villages closest to the epicentre. Footage broadcast by local state media captured panicked residents fleeing their homes and seeking temporary shelter outdoors or inside vehicles parked along streets.

Source: www.aljazeera.com