Magnitude 7.0 earthquake in Tibet kills at least 16, Xinhua reports

A magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck China's Tibet region at 22:33 local time (14:33 GMT) on Thursday, 22 October 2026, according to China's state news agency Xinhua. France 24, Al Jazeera, the South China Morning Post (SCMP), The Hindu and Le Monde all reported the Xinhua figures. Xinhua, citing local authorities, reported at least 16 people killed and 32 injured. Al Jazeera said Xinhua cited the emergency management bureau of Nagqu City.

Xinhua also reported that more than 300 houses collapsed, according to France 24 and the SCMP. It said officials were still evaluating the damage and relief work was ongoing. According to Al Jazeera, Xinhua said 11 of the injured were in serious condition and 21 had minor injuries.

The epicentre was in Maru township, Baqen county, at a shallow depth of 10 km. The US Geological Survey (USGS) placed it in a mountainous area about 190 km east-northeast of Nagqu and 390 km northeast of the regional capital, Lhasa. Xinhua reported that a level-II earthquake emergency response was activated and that power and telecommunications were disrupted in the county seat. According to Xinhua, township deputy head Lhawang Dagpo said the quake was clearly felt at the township office, whose walls cracked. The Hindu reported that workers were sent to coordinate the response.

In January 2025, at least 126 people were killed in an earthquake in Tibet's Tingri county.

What is not yet known: The death toll is given as "at least 16", and damage assessments are continuing. The figures may change. The reports reviewed by Vocemundi do not say where the deaths and injuries occurred. They do not give numbers of displaced, missing or trapped people, or describe search and rescue, aftershocks, or national or international aid. They also do not include a USGS magnitude figure.

Produced by the Vocemundi newsroom with AI assistance.