Nagqu:Tibet A powerful magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck China's Tibet autonomous region, also known as the Xizang autonomous region, late Thursday, raising concerns of potentially widespread damage. The earthquake occurred at a depth of 10 kilometers, approximately 183 kilometers from Nagqu city in the northern part of Tibet at 1033 pm local time.

According to Anadolu Agency – English, the US Geological Survey (USGS) has issued a yellow alert for possible shaking-related fatalities and an orange alert for economic losses, suggesting significant damage might occur, impacting a broad area. The USGS noted that economic losses could be less than 1% of China's GDP, but past events with similar alert levels have necessitated regional or national responses.

Chinese authorities have activated a Level-II emergency response, as reported by the state-run Xinhua News Agency. This level of response is typically initiated when a significant earthquake of magnitude 6.5 or higher, but below 7.0, occurs in a critical area. Despite the severity, there have been no immediate reports of casualties or damage following the quake. The region's population predominantly resides in structures that are susceptible to earthquake shaking, According to USGS.

Tibet recently faced devastating flash floods caused by an ice and rock avalanche on Nepal's Mount Langtang Lirung in August, leading to nearly 1,500 deaths on both sides of the border, with many still missing. On the Chinese side, the death toll stands at 43, with 519 missing, including 261 foreigners.