339 homes collapse after 7.0 magnitude quake in Tibet

339 residences collapsed in the Nagqu region of northern Tibet following a 7.0 magnitude earthquake that struck at 10:33 p.m. local time on Thursday. The U.S. Geological Survey placed the epicenter 191 kilometers east-northeast of the city at a depth of 18 kilometers.

Official media reported that at least 16 people died and 46 were injured. The Nagqu media office stated that 11 of the injured are in serious condition, while the other 35 sustained minor injuries. Local officials confirmed that 20 livestock sheds also fell during the tremor.

More than 1,600 personnel from the local county have been deployed to the site. Relief logistics have moved into the area, delivering 1,000 prefabricated housing units, approximately 3,000 tents and folding beds, flashlights, and winter clothing to the affected zones.

Infrastructure disruptions are complicating the response. Xinhua reported that communication lines are down in parts of the region. Railway authorities halted train traffic through the area, and a section of National Highway 317 remains closed to all traffic except emergency and support vehicles due to rockfalls.

CCTV identified this as the largest seismic event in the region over the past five years. Meteorological forecasts indicate intermittent snow is expected across the quake zone for the next three days. The city of Nagqu is located more than 300 kilometers north of Lhasa.