World · 2026-10-23 · Morning briefing

Tibet earthquake kills 16; over 12,000 relocated amid aftershocks

A magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck Tibet's mountainous Nagqu region on Thursday night, collapsing 339 homes and forcing the relocation of more than 12,400 people. According to Chinese state media, at least 16 people were killed and 65 injured, with 11 of those cases classified as severe. The quake cut electricity supplies, though power was partially restored by Friday morning.

Rescue efforts in the high-altitude area, which sits at around 4,800 metres, have been hampered by rockfalls blocking roads. More than 400 aftershocks have been registered since the initial tremor, complicating the work of emergency crews. Beijing has allocated 50 million yuan ($7.5m) for disaster relief, with Premier Li Qiang calling for urgent medical treatment and resettlement for those affected.

The disaster is the latest to hit the seismically active region. Less than two months ago, a glacier collapse in Tibet and neighbouring Nepal triggered floods that killed at least 1,400 people. In 2023, a 6.2 magnitude quake in China's nearby Gansu province killed more than 120.

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• Injuries in China's Tibet Rise to 65 After Earthquake, Death Toll Remains at 16
• Powerful earthquake in China’s Tibet region collapses hundreds of homes and kills at least 16 people
• 16 killed, 65 injured as magnitude 7 quake hits Tibet; over 12,000 evacuated
• Powerful Earthquake Kills at Least 16 People in Tibet
• At least 16 people killed by powerful 7.0 magnitude earthquake in Tibet, officials say

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