At least 16 people have been killed and 32 others injured after a magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck Baqing County in southwest China’s Xizang Autonomous Region, also known as Tibet, local authorities said Friday.
The earthquake struck at 10:33 p.m. Thursday local time, with its epicenter in Maru Township in Nagqu City, according to Xinhua, citing the Nagqu Emergency Management Bureau.
The earthquake killed 16 people and injured 32 others, including 11 who were seriously hurt and 21 who sustained minor injuries. Authorities also reported that 339 houses had collapsed, with damage assessments and search-and-rescue operations continuing.
The damage assessment is ongoing as rescue teams search affected areas and help the injured. Officials said the earthquake cracked walls in a local government building and caused homes to collapse in nearby villages.
Regional authorities activated a Level-II earthquake emergency response, while China’s Ministry of Emergency Management and the State Council earthquake relief headquarters activated a Level-IV response. A work team was dispatched to help coordinate emergency response and disaster relief.
The U.S. Geological Survey estimated a 37% chance of between 10 and 100 fatalities from the earthquake. It also issued an orange alert for economic losses, indicating that significant damage was likely and the impact could be widespread. The agency estimated economic losses would be less than 1% of China’s gross domestic product.
A separate magnitude 4.3 earthquake struck Zadoi County in neighboring Qinghai Province later Thursday night. The area borders Baqing County, and residents in nearby townships reported strong shaking and cracks in some houses. No additional casualties or building collapses were reported in connection with that quake.