A magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck northern Tibet late Thursday, killing at least 16 people and injuring dozens, according to reports citing Chinese authorities. Rescue and relief operations were continuing on Friday as officials assessed damage and checked affected communities.
The earthquake struck at about 10:33 p.m. local time on October 22. Chinese monitoring agencies placed the quake at around 10 kilometres deep, while the US Geological Survey reported a depth of about 18 kilometres. The reported epicentre was in Baqen County in Nagqu, a high-altitude area north of Lhasa.
Hundreds of homes reported collapsed or damaged
Reports said 339 homes had collapsed or been damaged, along with 20 livestock sheds. The Associated Press reported 46 people injured, including 11 seriously. Casualty and damage figures remain provisional and may change as local authorities complete checks.
More than 1,600 personnel were reported deployed for rescue and relief work. Emergency supplies included prefabricated housing units, tents, folding beds, flashlights and winter clothing. Reports also described communication disruptions, rail services paused for safety checks and a section of National Highway 317 closed to ordinary traffic after rockfalls.
Aftershocks and difficult weather
Several aftershocks were recorded, with reported magnitudes ranging from about 4.3 to 5.2. Forecast snow and cold conditions could complicate rescue efforts in the mountainous region.
What it means for India
The reported epicentre is in northern Tibet, away from India’s border. The reports reviewed for this article did not identify direct damage in India. A quake’s magnitude alone is not enough to determine impacts across the border; any local impact would need confirmation from relevant authorities.
The wider Himalayan region is seismically active, making preparedness, safe construction and emergency response important across communities in mountainous areas. Rescue operations and damage assessments in Tibet were continuing, and the reported toll should be treated as an early count.
Editorial note: Information available as of October 23, 2026. Figures may be updated as authorities release verified details.
