Tibet earthquake kills 16, emergency response raised to level 3
A magnitude 7.0 earthquake in Baqing County, Tibet, has killed 16 people and injured 54. China's emergency response has been upgraded to level 3, with a working group led by Wang Kun, head of the China Earthquake Administration, dispatched to the area.
A magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck Baqing County in Tibet on the evening of 22 October, killing 16 people and injuring 54, according to state broadcaster RTHK.
The Ministry of Emergency Management has raised the disaster emergency response from level 4 to level 3. A working group led by Wang Kun, deputy commander of the State Council's earthquake relief headquarters and head of the China Earthquake Administration, has been sent to the affected area to provide guidance and assistance. The ministry has also deployed a Wing Loong drone to the disaster zone for reconnaissance missions.
The Western Theatre Command has activated its emergency response mechanism for rescue and disaster relief operations. It has verified the extent of the damage and assessed the geographical and climatic conditions of the affected region, and has directed troops stationed near the disaster area to deploy to affected villages and towns.
National Highway 317 in Tibet, where a section near Nyingchi was blocked by falling rocks, was cleared in the early hours of 23 October after emergency repairs.
The earthquake struck at 10:33 pm local time on 22 October, with the epicentre located in Maryu Township, Baqing County, at a depth of 10 kilometres.