At least 16 people were killed and 54 others injured after a powerful 7.0-magnitude earthquake struck Baqen County in Nagqu City, southwest China’s Xizang Autonomous Region, commonly known as Tibet, late Thursday, according to state-run Xinhua News Agency.
The earthquake prompted an extensive emergency response, with Chinese President Xi Jinping ordering authorities to intensify search and rescue operations, locate missing people and ensure immediate medical treatment for those injured.
On Friday, China’s Ministry of Emergency Management raised the national earthquake emergency response from Level IV to Level III, reflecting the seriousness of the disaster.
A specialised government team was dispatched to the affected region to coordinate rescue operations and assist local authorities with emergency relief efforts.
China’s National Fire and Rescue Force mobilised 350 rescue personnel and 83 emergency vehicles to support operations in the affected areas.
According to Xinhua, 120 rescuers and 27 vehicles had reached the disaster zone by 6:30 am local time on Friday (2230 GMT Thursday), while additional teams were travelling to the region.
Authorities also arranged emergency accommodation and essential supplies for residents affected by the earthquake.
The relief materials included 1,000 prefabricated housing units, 3,239 tents, 2,821 folding beds and 4,280 quilts.
The supplies are intended to provide temporary shelter and assistance to communities facing displacement and damage following the powerful tremor.
According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the earthquake occurred at a depth of approximately 10 kilometres (6.2 miles), with its epicentre located around 183 kilometres (114 miles) from Nagqu.
The agency issued a yellow alert for earthquake-related fatalities, indicating the possibility of casualties, alongside an orange alert for economic losses, signalling that considerable damage could occur.
The USGS warned that the earthquake’s impact could extend across a broad area, potentially requiring substantial emergency resources.
“Estimated economic losses are less than 1% of GDP of China. Past events with this alert level have required a regional or national level response,” the agency stated.
The USGS also highlighted the vulnerability of buildings in the affected region, noting that many residents live in structures that may be unable to withstand strong earthquake shaking.
Rescue and relief operations were underway as emergency personnel worked to reach affected communities and assess the extent of the destruction.