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An earthquake in Tibet, China. / Yonhap

A magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck the Nagqu area in the northern part of China's Tibet Autonomous Region, causing casualties and damaging hundreds of homes.

According to China's state-run Xinhua News Agency and local authorities, the earthquake struck on the night of Oct. 22, leaving at least 16 people dead and 46 injured.

Among the injured, 11 were reported to be in serious condition and 35 sustained minor injuries. At least 339 homes and 20 livestock sheds were confirmed to have collapsed.

According to the China Earthquake Networks Center (CENC), the earthquake occurred at 10:33 p.m. local time. The epicenter was located at 32.40 degrees north latitude and 93.79 degrees east longitude, with a focal depth of 10 kilometers.

China's state-run CCTV reported that the earthquake was the strongest to hit the area in the past five years.

More than 1,600 personnel from nearby areas have been deployed to the scene and are conducting search and rescue operations.

Emergency relief supplies, including 1,000 prefabricated housing units, approximately 3,000 items such as tents and folding beds, and cold-weather supplies, have also been delivered to the affected areas.

Communication networks have been disrupted in some areas, while railway authorities have temporarily suspended train services passing through the affected sections.

Xinhua reported that sections of National Highway 317 have been closed due to falling rocks, restricting access for ordinary vehicles while allowing emergency and rescue vehicles to pass.

Weather authorities forecast intermittent snowfall in the affected areas over the next three days.

                                                                                                           Lee Jeong-eun