Tibet Quake Injuries Climb to 65 as Rescue Teams Rush Aid to Flattened Villages

UPDATE - follow-up to Tibet earthquake LIVE | At least sixteen dead, 32 injured after 7.0 quake strikes Tibet: China's state media: The number of people hurt in the major tremors that hit China's Tibet region has climbed to 65, while the death toll remains steady at 16.

Rescue Operations

Search and recovery teams are working across the affected zone after at least 339 homes and 20 livestock sheds flattened. City government officials report that 11 of the injured people are in serious condition, while the others sustained minor injuries. More than 1,600 personnel from the local county along with over 300 police officers, including traffic and community units, have been sent to handle emergency relief. Officials have rushed supplies like 1,000 prefabricated housing units, roughly 3,000 tents and folding beds, winter clothing, and flashlights to the region.

Transport and Damage

The strong tremor, which struck at a shallow depth on Thursday night, triggered dangerous rockfalls and forced authorities to block a part of National Highway 317. Only emergency and official rescue vehicles are allowed through the debris while clearing work takes place. Railway authorities also suspended train services through the affected tracks, and local power and phone services suffered disruptions.

Context

Earthquakes are common in high-altitude Himalayan and Tibetan regions due to ongoing tectonic collision between the Indian and Eurasian plates. When major remote tremors strike, rescue operations frequently face heavy challenges from difficult terrain, blocked mountain roads, and harsh weather.