A powerful 7.0-magnitude earthquake struck a remote region of Tibet late Thursday night, killing at least 16 people, injuring dozens more and forcing thousands of terrified residents to flee their homes as buildings collapsed around them.
The deadly earthquake hit southwestern China at approximately 10:33 p.m. local time on October 22, catching many families as they were preparing for bed or already asleep.
By Friday, October 23, authorities confirmed that at least 16 people had died and 76 others were injured, including 11 who suffered serious injuries. Officials warned that the numbers could change as rescue teams continued assessing the destruction.
The earthquake struck near Baqen County in the mountainous Nagqu region of northern Tibet, approximately 119 miles from the city of Nagqu, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
The region is known for its isolated villages, rugged terrain and extreme elevations, all of which have complicated emergency operations.
Videos released by Chinese state media showed frightened residents rushing out of buildings and gathering along streets as the ground shook.
One survivor described being awakened by the violent shaking and hearing the house creak around them.
When daylight arrived, the extent of the destruction became clearer.
At least 339 homes and 20 buildings used to shelter livestock were reportedly destroyed, leaving families facing the possibility of losing not only their houses but also animals essential to their livelihoods.
Rescue crews worked through damaged villages, searching collapsed structures and helping residents escape dangerous buildings.
Firefighters, police officers and emergency workers were dispatched to the hardest-hit areas, accompanied by rescue dogs trained to locate people trapped beneath debris.
More than 12,000 residents have been evacuated from affected communities, with authorities scrambling to provide temporary shelter, food and medical supplies.
China activated a Level III emergency response, mobilizing additional resources to support the rescue operation.
Officials sent thousands of tents, folding beds, blankets, winter clothing and prefabricated shelters to the disaster zone.
The relief effort faces another serious challenge: freezing temperatures.
Much of the affected region sits more than 15,000 feet above sea level, where nighttime temperatures are expected to fall to approximately 16 degrees Fahrenheit.
With snow also forecast in some communities, providing warm shelter has become a major priority, particularly for families whose homes were destroyed or left structurally unsafe.
Meanwhile, residents have been warned not to return to heavily damaged buildings because of the risk of further collapses.
China’s earthquake monitoring agency reported more than 400 aftershocks following the initial earthquake, including several strong enough to be felt across nearby communities.
Those continuing tremors have raised concerns about already weakened buildings and the safety of rescue personnel working among the rubble.
Power and communication networks were also disrupted, although repair crews have begun restoring electricity to affected households.
By Friday morning, power had reportedly returned to nearly 2,000 homes, while passenger trains traveling through the earthquake-affected region resumed service at reduced speeds.
According to Reuters, the earthquake was the strongest recorded in China since January 2024.
Tibet and its surrounding regions are particularly vulnerable to earthquakes because of the enormous geological forces created by the Indian tectonic plate pushing against the Eurasian plate.
That collision, which formed the Himalayan mountain range, continues to produce powerful earthquakes throughout the region.
The latest disaster has revived memories of previous tragedies, including a devastating 2010 earthquake in neighboring Qinghai province that killed more than 2,600 people.
For families in the latest disaster zone, however, the immediate concern is surviving the coming days.
Thousands remain displaced, rescue workers are continuing to inspect damaged buildings, and emergency crews are working to reach communities scattered across the remote mountain landscape.
With freezing weather approaching and aftershocks continuing, officials say the priority is finding anyone who may still need help and ensuring that displaced residents have somewhere safe to stay.
The full extent of the damage is still being assessed as rescue and recovery operations continue.
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