Tibet Earthquake Kills 16, Injures 46 as Hundreds of Homes Collapse

BEIJING, October 23, 2026

A magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck China’s Tibet region late Thursday, killing at least 16 people and injuring 46 others, according to updated reports from Chinese state media. The earthquake collapsed at least 339 homes and 20 livestock sheds in the northern city of Nagqu, as emergency teams continued rescue operations and authorities assessed the damage.

The latest casualty figures reported by the Associated Press are higher than the initial report of 32 injuries, underscoring how the situation has continued to develop since the earthquake struck.

Key Points

• At least 16 people have died and 46 have been injured, according to updated reports.
• The earthquake caused at least 339 homes and 20 livestock sheds to collapse.
• The US Geological Survey placed the epicentre about 191 kilometres east-northeast of Nagqu.
• Power and telecommunications disruptions, along with road and railway interruptions, have complicated conditions in affected areas.
• Rescue operations and damage assessments are continuing.

Earthquake Hits Remote Area of Tibet

The earthquake struck at 10:33 p.m. local time on Thursday, October 22, in a mountainous area of northern Tibet. The US Geological Survey placed the epicentre approximately 191 kilometres east-northeast of Nagqu and measured the depth at 18 kilometres. Chinese earthquake authorities reported a shallower depth of 10 kilometres.

The difference reflects measurements reported by separate monitoring agencies; both place the earthquake in a remote, high-altitude region where access for emergency responders can be difficult.

The epicentre was identified in Maru township in Baqen county, within the Nagqu administrative area. Local officials reported strong shaking, while authorities activated an emergency disaster response to coordinate rescue and relief work.

Rescue Teams Respond as Damage Assessment Continues

The Nagqu media office reported that at least 339 homes and 20 livestock sheds had collapsed. The Associated Press reported that more than 1,600 personnel from the local county had been deployed for rescue operations.

Emergency assistance has included temporary accommodation, tents, beds and winter clothing for people affected by the earthquake. Authorities have also worked to assess damaged buildings and support residents whose homes were destroyed.

The death toll and injury figures may change as responders reach affected communities and gather further information. Officials have not yet established the full extent of the damage across the remote region.

Power Disruptions and Road Closures Add to Challenges

The earthquake also disrupted communications in parts of the affected area, according to reports citing China’s state news agency Xinhua.

Rockfalls prompted the closure of a section of National Highway 317, with access restricted to emergency and support vehicles while crews worked to clear debris. Railway authorities also took emergency measures to halt trains passing through the affected area.

The disruptions are significant because rescue teams need reliable transport and communications to reach isolated communities, assess structural damage and deliver supplies.

Forecast snowfall could further complicate relief work in the coming days, according to Chinese state media reports.

Why the Earthquake’s Location Matters

Nagqu lies more than 300 kilometres north of Lhasa, Tibet’s regional capital, in a sparsely populated, high-altitude part of the Tibetan Plateau.

The wider region is seismically active because of the ongoing interaction between the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates. The US Geological Survey has documented major earthquakes across the broader Tibetan Plateau and Himalayan region.

However, the latest earthquake should not be confused with the magnitude 7.1 earthquake that struck southern Tibet in January 2025. That earlier event occurred near Tingri, closer to the Himalayan region and Mount Everest, and caused a substantially higher death toll.

For the current disaster, the immediate priorities remain locating and assisting affected residents, restoring essential services and determining the full scale of the destruction.

Sources: Associated Press reporting published October 23, 2026; US Geological Survey earthquake information; Chinese state media reports cited by international news organisations.

Reporting note: Casualty figures and earthquake-depth measurements reflect the latest available reports reviewed for this article and may be revised by authorities.