Deadly 7.0 magnitude earthquake hits Tibet

A powerful 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck the Nagqu region in northern Tibet on October 22, 2026, at 22:33 local time. The earthquake originated at a shallow depth of 10 kilometers. While the German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ) confirmed the 7.0 magnitude, initial reports from the Chinese news agency Xinhua cited a magnitude of approximately 6.7.

Local authorities report that at least 16 people have died, and between 32 and 46 individuals have been injured, with 11 of the wounded currently in serious condition. The seismic activity caused significant structural damage, leading to the collapse of at least 340 homes and 20 animal shelters in the mountainous region. The epicenter of the quake was situated approximately 400 kilometers from Lhasa, the capital of Tibet.

Search and rescue operations are currently underway in the affected area. State media footage captured residents evacuating homes to find safety in outdoor spaces or vehicles. This event marks the strongest earthquake to hit China since January 2024. In a historical context, a 7.1 magnitude earthquake in the neighboring Qinghai province in 2010 resulted in nearly 2,700 deaths.