At least 16 people have been killed and 46 others injured after a powerful earthquake struck the remote Tibet Autonomous Region of China, Chinese state media reported, citing local authorities.
According to Agence France-Presse (AFP), citing China’s state-run Xinhua News Agency, the 7.0-magnitude earthquake struck at 10:33 p.m. local time on Thursday night, collapsing more than 300 houses. Authorities are assessing the damage, while rescue operations are underway.
China Central Television (CCTV), citing local authorities, reported that 46 people were injured, 11 of them critically. A total of 339 houses were either destroyed or damaged.
Videos released by CCTV showed restaurant workers rushing outside during the earthquake and goods falling from supermarket shelves.
According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the epicentre was in a mountainous area approximately 190 kilometres east-northeast of Nagqu and 390 kilometres northeast of Lhasa, the capital of Tibet.
The USGS reported that at least seven aftershocks, ranging in magnitude from 4.3 to 5.2, were recorded following the earthquake. All occurred at a depth of 10 kilometres.
CCTV reported that a Level III emergency response had been activated in the affected area.More than 300 police officers have been dispatched to assist with rescue operations, while the regional fire and rescue department has sent 347 personnel to the affected areas.
Footage released by CCTV showed rescue workers clearing debris from damaged buildings and carrying an injured person to safety. The roofs of some buildings had also collapsed.
On Friday, China’s state-run Xinhua News Agency reported that communication links had been disrupted in parts of the affected area. Local railway authorities suspended train services passing through the region as an emergency precaution.
Xinhua reported that falling rocks had also forced local authorities to close a section of National Highway 317. Debris removal operations are continuing, and only vehicles involved in emergency services, rescue operations and official assistance are being allowed through.
According to Xinhua, intermittent snowfall is expected in the earthquake-hit area over the next three days.Chinese President Xi Jinping has instructed authorities to mobilise all available resources to rescue people and provide medical assistance to those affected by the earthquake.
