Emergency Operations Underway in Nagqu
Rescuers in southwestern Chinaβs Tibet region searched through rubble and remote villages on Friday, October 23, following a magnitude-7.0 earthquake that struck late Thursday night. According to local authorities and international reports, the disaster killed at least 16 people and injured 65 others.
The earthquake hit at approximately 10:33 p.m. local time on October 22, centering near Nagqu, a high-altitude city located north of regional capital Lhasa. The remote setting, combined with an elevation of about 4,800 meters and severe low temperatures, significantly complicated immediate rescue and relief efforts.
Casualties and Scale of Destruction
Local government figures updated throughout Friday indicated that the injury toll rose to 65, while the death toll remained steady at 16. More than 300 homes collapsed under the force of the tremor, alongside numerous livestock sheds and agricultural structures.
Dunzhu, the acting mayor of Nagqu, stated that rescue teams had completed three comprehensive rounds of household and village checks by Friday afternoon. More than 5,000 personnel from three local counties, joined by over 1,600 specialized search-and-rescue workers and more than 300 police officers, deployed to the zone to assess structural damage, clear debris, and assist affected residents.
Displacement and Relief Measures
Emergency response teams successfully pulled at least one survivor from the wreckage on Friday, and emergency broadcast footage captured personnel using flashlights to inspect compromised buildings. Authorities reported that more than 12,000 residents had been relocated to safer areas to protect them from structural hazards and the harsh weather.
To support the displaced population, regional authorities dispatched critical relief supplies, including tents, folding beds, winter clothing, and prefabricated housing units. While primary search sweeps concluded in accessible zones, emergency management officials noted that the casualty total remains preliminary as teams continue checking isolated communities.
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