A magnitude 7 earthquake struck China’s Tibet Autonomous Region late on Thursday, October 22, killing at least 16 people and injuring 76, according to local authorities cited in a Reuters report published on October 23″ The earthquake hit Baqen County in Nagqu City at approximately 10:33 p.m. local time. The region lies on the Tibetan Plateau, a high-altitude area where earthquakes occur because of the ongoing movement of tectonic plates.
The latest reported injury figure has risen from earlier updates as authorities continue assessing the damage. Rescue and emergency response operations remain underway.
Homes Damaged as Residents Move to Safety
More than 330 homes were reported collapsed or damaged in initial assessments, according to Chinese state media reports. Authorities have warned that buildings weakened by the main earthquake could be at risk of collapsing during aftershocks.
Emergency teams have been deployed to assess affected communities, provide assistance, and help residents move to safer locations. More than 12,000 people had reportedly been relocated, while supplies including tents, beds, and other essential items were sent to the affected area.
The earthquake was reported at a depth of about 10 kilometres, making it a shallow earthquake. Such events can produce strong shaking near the epicentre, although the extent of damage also depends on local buildings, terrain, and population distribution.
A Region Exposed to Earthquake Risk
The Tibetan Plateau sits within a geologically active region shaped by the collision of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates. That movement contributes to earthquakes across parts of the Himalayas and surrounding areas.
The latest disaster is a reminder of the challenges facing emergency responders in remote, high-altitude communities, where difficult terrain and weather can complicate relief efforts.
Authorities are continuing to assess the damage and assist affected residents. Casualty figures and the scale of destruction may change as more information becomes available.
