Magnitude 7 Tibet Quake Triggers Rescue Response
Bastillepost · 4 SOURCESabout 2 hours ago5 MIN
Summary
A magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck Baqen County in Nagqu, Tibet, at 10:33pm on October 22, with a focal depth of 10 kilometres. The epicentre was in Maru Township, where local officials reported strong shaking, cracked walls and some collapsed houses, while power and communications were disrupted in parts of the county. Chinese and Tibetan regional authorities activated emergency mechanisms, and national-level disaster response teams were also dispatched. Casualty information was still evolving overnight, with reports ranging from no immediate deaths or injuries in some areas to two injured people sent for treatment in Gangqai Township and separate reports of fatalities in the disaster zone.
Key Points
- China Earthquake Networks Center said the quake hit Baqen County at 10:33pm on October 22 at 32.40 north and 93.79 east, with a depth of 10 kilometres.
- Source reports placed the epicentre about 59 kilometres from Baqen county seat and roughly 70 kilometres from Maru Township, where shaking was especially strong
- Maru Township’s deputy township head, Lawang Dabu (拉旺達布), said office walls cracked and some houses collapsed, while village-level checks were still under way
- By about 1am Hong Kong time on October 23, two injured residents were found in Gangqai Township and sent to hospital, while other reports said casualties were still being verified.
- The China Earthquake Administration and Tibet regional authorities launched Level II emergency responses, while the State Council disaster relief office activated a national Level IV earthquake disaster response.
Why It Matters
For Hong Kong readers, the quake is a reminder that major inland earthquakes can still be detected locally, with the Hong Kong Observatory also recording the event. The differing early casualty reports also show how information from remote, high-altitude disaster zones can change quickly as communications and field checks improve.