Magnitude-7 Earthquake Hits Tibet, Killing At Least 16

Source reports published 23 Oct 2026, 7:09 am – 2:59 pm AEST

A magnitude-7 earthquake struck China’s Tibet region, causing the collapse of over 300 homes and resulting in at least 16 fatalities. Rescue efforts were underway with supplies and personnel deployed to the affected area.

What happened

• A magnitude-7 earthquake occurred in the sparsely populated, high-altitude area of northern Tibet, 191km (119 miles) east-northeast of Nagqu, at 10.33pm local time on Thursday.
• The US Geological Survey reported a depth of 18km.
• CCTV footage showed damage to buildings and falling objects.
• Xinhua reported that at least 339 residential buildings and 20 livestock sheds collapsed.
• More than 1,600 people from the local county were deployed for rescue efforts, and over 12,000 people were relocated.
• President Xi Jinping ordered all-out search and rescue efforts, prompt medical treatment for the injured, and efforts to minimize casualties.
• Xinhua reported that communication lines were disrupted and power lines were down.
• Disaster relief efforts were ongoing as officials assessed the damage, with temperatures at the site reaching minus 5 degrees Celsius (23 Fahrenheit) and a small chance of snow.

Original reporting

• Guardian: Magnitude-7 earthquake hits China’s Tibet, killing at least 16 and destroying hundreds of homes
  2026-10-23T00:00:00+00:00
• Al Jazeera: Tibet rocked by 7.0-magnitude earthquake
  2026-10-23T00:00:00+00:00
• Deutsche Welle: Tibet earthquake kills 16 people, injures dozens, China says
  2026-10-22T23:24:15.012000+00:00
• France 24 English: Strong earthquake strikes China’s remote Tibet region
  2026-10-22T21:09:38+00:00
• New York Times World: Powerful Earthquake in Tibet Kills at Least 16
  2026-10-23T04:59:21+00:00
• South China Morning Post: China’s Xi Jinping orders urgent relief after Tibet earthquake leaves 16 dead
  2026-10-23T02:31:49+00:00