A magnitude-7 earthquake struck northern Tibet on October 23, killing at least 16 people and injuring 54, according to the Nagqu media office and official Chinese media. The quake hit the regional city of Nagqu, collapsing at least 339 homes and 20 livestock sheds. Search and rescue operations were ongoing following the initial tremor. At least seven aftershocks were recorded after the main quake, according to officials.
The Nagqu media office, citing city government officials, reported the scale of structural damage across the affected area. The focus on livestock sheds alongside residential buildings reflects the rural character of much of the Nagqu region, where herding remains a primary economic activity. The number of aftershocks suggests continued seismic instability in the area immediately after the initial quake.
Tibet sits on the Tibetan Plateau, an elevated region at the collision zone between the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates. This geological position makes the region prone to major seismic events. Nagqu, located in the prefecture-level city bearing the same name, sits at high altitude in the plateau's northern section.
The death toll and injury count reflect reports from Chinese state media at the time of the initial reports, though casualty figures in major earthquakes often change as rescue operations continue and assessments are completed.