China Earthquake Shuts Highway, Halts Trains in Nagqu

The U.S. Geological Survey said the quake hit at a depth of 18 kilometres. Its epicentre was located 191 kilometres east-northeast of Nagqu, in a sparsely populated, high-altitude part of northern Tibet. Nagqu lies more than 300 kilometres north of Lhasa, the regional capital.

Nagqu city government officials, cited by the city's media office, reported that at least 339 homes and 20 livestock shelters had collapsed. Of the 46 people hurt, 11 are in serious condition and 35 sustained minor injuries. Search and rescue operations remain under way. CCTV, China's national broadcaster, described the event as the largest earthquake to hit the region in five years.

More than 1,600 people have been deployed from the local county for the rescue effort. Relief shipments have reached the area, carrying 1,000 prefabricated housing units, some 3,000 tents and folding beds, flashlights, and winter clothing.

Xinhua reported Friday that communications were down across part of the region, and local railway authorities stopped trains from transiting the affected zone. The quake triggered rockfalls, leading officials to close a section of National Highway 317 to all but emergency, rescue, and official vehicles while crews clear debris. Intermittent snow is forecast for the quake zone over the next three days.