Nagqu homes collapse after strong quake
Sixteen people died and 339 homes fell in northern Tibet, with snow expected to complicate rescue efforts.
By Kevin Sanders ·
A magnitude 7 earthquake hit northern Tibet on Thursday evening. The tremor killed at least 16 people and injured 46 others. The US Geological Survey recorded the event at 10:33 p.m. local time. The epicenter lay 191 kilometers east-northeast of Nagqu.
Local officials reported severe damage in the Nagqu area. At least 339 homes collapsed. Another 20 livestock sheds also fell. Of the 46 injured, 11 are in serious condition. The remaining 35 have minor injuries. Search and rescue teams continue their work in the affected zone.
More than 1,600 local residents joined the rescue effort. Relief supplies arrived in the region. These included 1,000 prefabricated housing units. Teams also distributed 3,000 tents, folding beds, flashlights, and winter clothing.
Infrastructure damage disrupted travel and communication. Local railway authorities stopped trains from passing through the area. Officials closed a section of National Highway 317 after rockfalls. Only emergency and support vehicles can currently pass through while crews clear debris.
Weather may slow progress. Intermittent snow is expected across the quake zone for the next three days. The region sits at high altitude. Nagqu is located more than 300 kilometers north of Lhasa.
CCTV described this as the largest quake in the region in five years. The US Geological Survey measured the quake at a depth of 18 kilometers.
Source: CBC News
