Daniel Ngendahimana
A magnitude-7 earthquake has killed at least 16 people and injured 54 in Tibet, China. Hundreds of homes were destroyed.
The earthquake struck near Nagqu, northern Tibet, on Thursday night. At least seven smaller earthquakes followed.
More than 1,600 people joined rescue efforts. The government sent tents, beds, warm clothes and temporary homes to help affected families.
The earthquake also caused rocks to fall onto a highway, forcing authorities to close part of the road.
China’s President, Xi Jinping, called for urgent rescue efforts and medical help for the injured.
China has experienced several powerful earthquakes throughout its history. In 1976 Tangshan earthquake killed about 240,000 people, while the 2008 Sichuan earthquake left around 90,000 people dead .
More recently, a magnitude-7.1 earthquake in Tibet in January 2025 killed at least 126 people.
These events show that China is one of the countries frequently affected by earthquakes, some of which have caused thousands of deaths and destroyed many homes and buildings.
