Hundreds of houses collapse as powerful earthquake hits China (VIDEOS)
A powerful magnitude-7.0 earthquake struck China's Tibet region, killing at least 16 people and injuring dozens more, with hundreds of houses collapsing.
The magnitude-7.0 earthquake struck the northern Tibetan city of Nagqu at 10:33pm local time on Thursday. The shallow tremor, at approximately 10 kilometers depth according to Chinese seismologists, caused the collapse of 339 houses and 20 livestock sheds, according to local government officials.
The death toll stood at 16 on Friday morning, with 46 people injured, including 11 seriously. The US Geological Survey estimated the quake's depth at 18 kilometers, placing the epicenter in a sparsely populated mountainous area.
Rescue operations
More than 1,600 local personnel have been mobilized for search-and-rescue operations. Emergency supplies, including 1,000 prefabricated housing units, 3,000 tents, beds and winter clothing, have been dispatched to assist displaced residents.
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Infrastructure impact
The earthquake triggered rockfalls that forced the closure of a major highway, while railway services were temporarily suspended for safety inspections. Communications were disrupted in parts of the affected region, complicating rescue operations.
Forecasters have warned of intermittent snowfall over the next three days, raising concerns about worsening conditions for survivors and emergency workers. Authorities have warned that casualty figures could rise as rescue teams continue searching damaged buildings.
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