Nagqu:Tibet A devastating 7.0-magnitude earthquake struck Baqen County in Nagqu City, situated in southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, also known as Tibet, late Thursday, resulting in at least 16 deaths and 54 injuries.

According to Anadolu Agency – English, Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for comprehensive search and rescue operations and immediate medical treatment for those injured by the earthquake. In response to the disaster, China elevated its national earthquake emergency response from Level IV to Level III as announced by the Ministry of Emergency Management.

A work team was dispatched to the affected area to oversee and support the rescue and relief operations. China's National Fire and Rescue Force has mobilized 350 rescuers and 83 vehicles to the region. By early Friday morning, 120 rescuers and 27 vehicles had already reached the site, with additional support en route.

Authorities have also prepared relief supplies, including 1,000 prefabricated housing units, 3,239 tents, 2,821 folding beds, and 4,280 quilts, to aid those impacted by the earthquake. The US Geological Survey (USGS) reported that the earthquake occurred at a depth of 10 kilometers, approximately 183 kilometers from Nagqu, issuing alerts for potential fatalities and significant economic losses. The USGS emphasized that the region's structures may be particularly vulnerable to earthquake damage.