Powerful 7.0 Earthquake in China's Tibet Kills at Least 16

At least 16 people have died after a major earthquake shook China's remote Tibet region, state media said. The quake, measuring 7.0 on the Richter scale, also injured dozens more.

Tibet is a remote and sparsely populated region in western China. The powerful tremor struck there, spreading panic across a wide area, according to initial reports.

State media said hundreds of houses were affected by the earthquake. Because of the region's remoteness, a full picture of the damage may take longer to emerge.

The initial toll stands at at least 16 dead, though it was not immediately clear how seriously the injured were hurt. News organizations are awaiting detailed information from local authorities.

The Tibet and Himalayan border region is known as earthquake-prone, sitting near the collision line of two tectonic plates, and tremors are frequently felt there.

News of the quake first emerged through China's state media. Given the difficult terrain, there are concerns that reports from the worst-hit areas may be delayed.

The full scale of casualties and damage is expected to become clearer in the coming hours. Barlekha Today will update readers as more verified information becomes available.