Sunday, October 25, 2026 - A powerful magnitude 7.0 earthquake has struck Tibet’s Nagqu region in China, killing at least 16 people, injuring 76 others and forcing 12,489 residents to evacuate their homes. The earthquake hit Baqen County at approximately 10:33 p.m. local time on October 22, 2026, triggering widespread damage in the remote, mountainous region.
Authorities reported that at least 339 homes were destroyed or damaged, leaving thousands of residents in urgent need of shelter and emergency assistance. Rescue teams are working to reach affected communities as officials assess the full scale of the disaster.
Emergency response operations have intensified, with more than 1,600 local personnel mobilised to assist survivors, treat the injured and distribute essential supplies. Chinese President Xi Jinping has ordered comprehensive search-and-rescue operations and immediate medical treatment for those affected.
Authorities have also dispatched temporary housing units, thousands of tents, beds, quilts and other emergency supplies. However, the region’s extreme altitude, freezing temperatures and forecast snowfall are complicating rescue and relief efforts. Officials are also monitoring aftershocks and potential secondary hazards as teams continue working in affected communities.
The immediate priority is to protect displaced families, provide medical care and prevent further casualties as recovery efforts continue. With temperatures expected to fall below freezing, access to safe shelter, warm clothing and reliable emergency services remains critical for those forced from their homes.
Authorities are assessing infrastructure damage and working to restore disrupted services while supporting affected residents. The disaster highlights the urgent need for coordinated rescue operations and sustained humanitarian assistance, particularly in remote communities where harsh weather and difficult terrain can delay access to those in need. The death toll remains at least 16 in the latest reports, while relief operations continue.
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