Tibet, Oct 23: Emergency crews are conducting urgent search and rescue operations in Baqen County after a massive earthquake resulted in 16 fatalities and left dozens injured. Disaster relief officials activated a Level III natural disaster emergency response early Friday as rescue supplies, including prefabricated housing, tents, and cold-weather gear, flooded into Nagqu City to assist hundreds of affected residents.
Expressing deep concern for the impacted population, Chinese President Xi Jinping ordered all-out search and rescue efforts for any missing persons. President Xi stated in his instruction that officials must make every effort to minimize casualties while prioritizing immediate medical care for the 65 injured citizens, 11 of whom are currently in critical condition.
The tremor occurred late Thursday night, damaging or destroying upwards of 330 residential structures across the region. Geological assessments highlight that the surrounding Tibetan plateau is inherently prone to powerful seismic events due to the constant collision of the Eurasian and Indian tectonic plates beneath the surface. Regional authorities in Lhasa confirmed that detailed evaluations of the full extent of the destruction are actively continuing.
