Powerful earthquake kills 16 in Tibet, hundreds of homes destroyed

The powerful tremor struck the northern Tibetan city of Nagqu, causing widespread devastation across residential and livestock areas. According to local media officials, at least 339 homes and 20 livestock sheds collapsed or were severely damaged in the initial quake. Among the injured, 11 people sustained serious injuries while 35 others suffered minor wounds.

Rescue and recovery efforts have mobilized over 1,600 personnel from the surrounding county to search for survivors and assist affected residents. Authorities have deployed significant relief supplies including 1,000 prefabricated housing units, approximately 3,000 tents and folding beds, along with essential items such as flashlights and winter clothing to help those displaced by the disaster.

Communication infrastructure has been disrupted in parts of the affected region, hampering coordination efforts. China's state news agency Xinhua reported on Friday that rail authorities have implemented emergency protocols, suspending train services through the quake zone to prevent further casualties and allow rescue operations to proceed unimpeded.

The earthquake also triggered secondary hazards, with rockfalls reported in certain areas, though full details on additional damage remain unclear as assessment operations continue throughout the region.