State media in China reported that earthquakes with a magnitude of 7 shook mountainous areas in Tibet, leaving at least 16 dead and dozens injured.

State media in China reported that earthquakes with a magnitude of 7 shook mountainous areas in Tibet, leaving at least 16 dead and dozens injured.

The Xinhua news agency, citing the local Office of Crisis Management, reported that the epicenter of the earthquake was in Bachon County, Nagacho Province on Thursday evening.

This city is located in what China calls the Tibet Autonomous Region after annexing Tibet in the 1950s. Bachen is located about 400 km northeast of Lhasa, the center of this region.

The local authorities declared a state of emergency and sent rescue teams to the affected areas. According to reports, 32 other people were also injured in this earthquake.

Local reports indicate that the electricity in the area was cut off and 339 houses collapsed.

The fall of the rocks closed the roads in the area and made it difficult for the rescuers to reach the high areas that were affected.

Strong tremors were also felt in the cities of Chamdu and Nyingji in Tibet.

Reuters