BEIJING, October 23. /Dunyo IA/.  A 7.0-magnitude earthquake in the Xizang Autonomous Region in southwestern China has killed 16 people and injured another 54, reports Dunyo IA correspondent, citing with China’s “Xinhua” Information Agency.

Earthquake struck Baqing County in Nagqu City at 10:33 p.m. Beijing time yesterday (7:33 p.m. in Tashkent). As of 7 a.m. on Friday, 11 of those injured were in serious condition, while the remaining 43 had sustained minor injuries.

Disaster caused 339 residential buildings to collapse or sustain damage. More than 12,000 residents have been evacuated. Search and rescue operations are ongoing, alongside assessments of the damage.

Chinese authorities have raised the emergency response level, while regional services have activated their emergency response mechanisms. Humanitarian assistance is being sent to the affected area.

Severe weather conditions are complicating relief efforts. The earthquake’s epicentre is located at an altitude of more than 4,800 metres above sea level. Temperatures in the affected areas are forecast to fall below −9°C over the next three days, with intermittent snow expected in some areas near the epicentre.