Chinese President Xi Jinping has ordered all-out search and rescue efforts for the missing and prompt medical treatment for the injured after a 7.0-magnitude earthquake struck a county in southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region on Thursday night.
Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks in an important instruction, calling for every effort to minimize casualties.
Sixteen people were killed and 46 others injured after a 7.0-magnitude earthquake struck Baqen County of Nagqu City in southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region at 10:33 p.m. Thursday (Beijing Time), according to the city's earthquake relief headquarters.
The regional disaster prevention, reduction and relief committee activated a Level III emergency response for natural disaster relief on Friday.
As of 5:20 a.m. Friday, 11 of the injured were in serious condition, while 35 sustained minor injuries. Over 330 houses collapsed or were damaged.