Tibet's Barging County hit by 7.0 magnitude earthquake, strongest in China this year

A 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck Barging County in Nagqu City, Tibet on October 22, 2026 at 22:33 local time, with a depth of 10 kilometres. The epicentre was located at latitude 32.40°N and longitude 93.79°E. The tremor was widely felt across the region; residents in Lhasa, approximately 399 kilometres away, reported shaking, with one eyewitness account describing water crystal chandeliers rattling during the event.

This is the strongest earthquake recorded in China in 2026, surpassing previous seismic activity that year. The earthquake epicentre is located approximately 59 kilometres from Barging County town, 152 kilometres from Zhadog County in Qinghai province, and 194 kilometres from Nagqu City. The surrounding area includes several villages within a 5-kilometre radius: Lengda, Puqin, and Gaijiaka, with average elevation around 4,864 metres above sea level.

According to China Earthquake Networks Centre data, the earthquake represents the largest seismic event in the area over the past five years. Historical records show the previous 7-level earthquake occurred on January 23, 2024, in Wushi, Xinjiang, measuring 7.1 magnitude. The China Earthquake Administration activated a Level 2 emergency response at 23:31 on October 22, indicating a coordinated national disaster response protocol.