Magnitude-7 earthquake hits Tibet, China launches emergency response

A magnitude-7 earthquake struck China's Tibet Autonomous Region on Thursday night, prompting an emergency response from Chinese authorities.

According to the China Earthquake Networks Center (CENC), the quake occurred at 8:18 pm Nepal time, which was 10:33 pm local time in China.

The center said the epicentre was in Baqen County under Nagqu city in the Tibet (Xizang) Autonomous Region, at 32.40 degrees north latitude and 93.79 degrees east longitude, at a depth of about 10 km.

The epicentre is about 115 km from Nagqu city and roughly 400 km north of Lhasa, the Tibetan capital. The US Geological Survey (USGS) also recorded the quake at magnitude 7.

According to Reuters, this is the most powerful earthquake to hit China since January 2024. Tremors were felt across China as well as in India and Myanmar, with strong shaking across the Nagqu area and lighter shaking felt in Lhasa.

The area around the epicentre lies at an average elevation of about 4,864 metres above sea level and is remote. Chinese authorities are collecting information on the situation and damage in the affected area; official details of the damage have not yet been released.