China confirms 16 deaths in Tibet quake

BEIJING:

Chinese authorities said on Friday that 16 people died while 76 other sustained injuries in a magnitude 7 earthquake that rattled southwestern Tibet region on Thursday evening.

The earthquake struck near Nagqu, a high-altitude city in sparsely populated northern Tibet, making it China's strongest since January 2024. Officials warned that buildings cracked or weakened by the main tremor could collapse during aftershocks.

More than 300 police officers were deployed to the epicentre to assist with rescue and emergency relief, inspect damaged homes and move residents to safer locations. State media outlet Xinhua reported that more than 12,000 people had been relocated.