A powerful magnitude 7 earthquake struck northern Tibet late Thursday, killing at least 16 people and forcing residents to leave their homes. The number of injured subsequently rose to 54, according to updated official figures cited by the Associated Press. Earlier information from Xinhua had placed the injured toll at 32, including 11 people in serious condition.

Nagqu Earthquake Strikes Remote High-Altitude Area

The earthquake occurred at approximately 10:33 PM local time on October 22, equivalent to 8:03 PM IST. Its epicentre was in a sparsely populated part of Nagqu in northern Tibet. Initial China Earthquake Networks Center data placed the quake at a depth of 10 kilometres. The surrounding terrain has an average elevation of approximately 4,864 metres within five kilometres of the epicentre. The location was around 400 kilometres from Lhasa, according to the initial details.

Rescue Teams Mobilised as Residents Leave Homes

Local fire and rescue personnel were dispatched towards affected communities after the tremor. State media footage showed people gathering outdoors or sheltering in cars, while residents described strong shaking and noises from their houses. Initial accounts indicated that homes in villages near the epicentre had developed cracks. Emergency teams began moving into the affected area as authorities gathered information about casualties and damage.

Aftershocks Follow Powerful Tibet Tremor

Several smaller earthquakes followed the main shock, with initial CENC readings recording tremors around magnitude 3 and 4 in surrounding areas. The continuing seismic activity added to residents’ anxiety after the powerful nighttime earthquake. The casualty figures changed as more information emerged from the affected communities. The earlier count of 32 injured has been superseded by the updated figure of 54, while the death toll stands at at least 16.