A powerful magnitude-7.0 earthquake struck a mountainous region of northern Tibet late Thursday, killing at least 16 people, injuring dozens and damaging hundreds of homes, as rescue teams continued search-and-rescue operations on Friday.

The earthquake hit Baqên County in the Nagqu region at around 10:33 p.m. local time on October 22, according to China's state-run Xinhua news agency, citing local emergency authorities.

At least 54 people were injured, including 11 who sustained serious injuries, according to figures released by Chinese authorities on Friday morning. A total of 339 homes were reported collapsed or damaged, while 20 livestock shelters were also affected. The casualty figures remained subject to further verification.

The United States Geological Survey (USGS) placed the epicentre about 191 kilometres east-northeast of Nagqu, at a depth of approximately 18 kilometres. The affected area lies roughly 390 kilometres northeast of Lhasa, the regional capital, and is situated at a high altitude in a sparsely populated mountainous region.

Chinese President Xi Jinping called for all-out efforts to rescue people trapped under rubble, provide medical treatment to the injured and minimise casualties, Xinhua reported.

Authorities deployed more than 1,600 personnel for rescue and relief operations, while emergency supplies, including 1,000 prefabricated housing units, around 3,000 tents, folding beds, flashlights and winter clothing, were sent to the affected communities.

The earthquake also disrupted communications and railway services in parts of the region. Rockfalls forced the closure of a section of National Highway 317, restricting access to emergency vehicles as crews worked to clear debris. At least seven aftershocks measuring between magnitude 4.3 and 5.2 were recorded following the main earthquake, according to the USGS.

The high-altitude location and cold weather have added to the challenges facing rescue teams. Authorities have warned of possible snowfall over the coming days, which could further complicate relief operations.

The disaster is the latest major earthquake to hit the Himalayan region, where the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates interact, generating frequent seismic activity.

In January 2025, an earthquake in Tingri County in Tibet killed at least 126 people and damaged thousands of buildings.

Tibet remains under tight Chinese government control, and access for independent foreign journalists is restricted. Official state media and government agencies therefore remain the principal sources of information on the disaster, limiting independent verification of the full extent of the damage. (ILKHA)