At least 16 people have died and 54 have been injured after a magnitude 7 earthquake struck northern Tibet on 22 October, according to Chinese state media cited by Associated Press. Hundreds of homes collapsed. Search and rescue operations were continuing on Friday 23 October, as aid and temporary shelters were sent to the region.
The epicentre was around 191 kilometres east-north-east of Nagqu, in a sparsely populated mountainous area, according to US Geological Survey (USGS) data cited in the AP report published by The Guardian. At least seven aftershocks were recorded, with magnitudes ranging from 4.3 to 5.2.
Nagqu’s press office, citing city officials, said at least 339 homes and 20 livestock buildings had collapsed. The casualty and damage figures come from Chinese state media and local authorities; the AP report does not independently confirm them. The toll is not final, with rescuers still searching for people affected by the earthquake.
Aid sent as damaged roads restrict access
According to AP, more than 1,600 people from the local county were deployed to help. Supplies sent to the region included 1,000 prefabricated housing units, around 3,000 tents, camp beds and winter clothing, to provide shelter for residents of the affected communities.
Communications were down in some affected areas, the Xinhua news agency reported on Friday, according to AP. Railway services took steps to stop trains travelling through the region. Rockfalls also led to traffic restrictions on a section of National Highway 317: Xinhua said only emergency vehicles and official aid transport were being allowed through.
