At least two people have been injured after a powerful earthquake struck northern Tibet, damaging homes and forcing residents into the streets as emergency rescue teams rushed towards the epicentre.
A magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck China’s Tibet Autonomous Region late Thursday night, triggering widespread alarm across remote mountain communities and prompting an emergency response from Chinese authorities.
According to the China Earthquake Networks Center (CENC), the earthquake occurred at 10:33 pm local time on October 22, equivalent to 1:33 am Friday in Sydney.
The epicentre was located in Baqen County, within the Nagqu region of northern Tibet, approximately 400 kilometres from the regional capital, Lhasa. The earthquake originated at a depth of just 10 kilometres, making it a relatively shallow seismic event.
Chinese state media reported that at least two people had been injured in a village near the epicentre. Several houses in neighbouring settlements sustained structural cracks, while authorities continued assessing the full extent of the damage.
Videos broadcast by local media showed frightened residents fleeing their homes and gathering in open spaces. Some sought temporary shelter inside parked vehicles as fears of further tremors spread.
One resident described being awakened by the violent shaking and hearing the structure of their home creaking during the earthquake.
The affected area is among the most remote and challenging environments in China. Situated on the Tibetan Plateau, the region has an average elevation of approximately 4,864 metres near the epicentre, potentially complicating emergency operations and access to isolated villages.
Chinese emergency services, including firefighters and rescue personnel, were mobilised to reach affected communities and assess possible damage to buildings and infrastructure.
Several aftershocks measuring between magnitude 3 and 4 were recorded following the initial earthquake, according to Chinese seismic monitoring authorities.
The magnitude 7.0 tremor is China’s strongest recorded earthquake since January 2024.
The disaster has renewed concerns about seismic vulnerability across the Tibetan Plateau, where major geological fault systems have historically produced devastating earthquakes.
In 2010, a magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck Yushu in neighbouring Qinghai province, killing at least 2,698 people and leaving nearly 300 missing.
Authorities have not confirmed any fatalities from Thursday’s earthquake, but damage assessments remain underway in remote communities.
Further updates are expected as emergency crews reach the affected areas and officials establish the full extent of the destruction.
Allora! Online – Breaking International News
