By Tenzin Chokyi

DHARAMSALA, 23 Oct: A magnitude-7.0 earthquake struck Drachen County in Nagchu, occupied Tibet, late Thursday night, killing at least 16 people and injuring dozens, as reports emerged that Tibetans travelling to the affected area to assist survivors were being turned back by local authorities.

The earthquake struck at 10:33 p.m. local time on 22 October. According to Chinese state media, more than 12,000 residents have been evacuated while more than 330 houses have collapsed or sustained damage. The reported death toll remained at 16, with 54 people injured as of 7 a.m. Friday, including 11 in serious condition.

The county is located approximately 400 kilometres northeast of Lhasa, the Tibetan capital. The affected area lies at an average elevation of more than 4,800 metres, where temperatures are expected to fall to minus nine degrees Celsius over the coming days.

Chinese authorities have dispatched rescue t...