Beijing, Oct. 23: Sixteen dead, 32 injured after strong 7.0-magnitude earthquake struck China’s Tibet region late Thursday, and casualties have been reported, state news agency Xinhua said, citing local authorities.

The epicentre of the quake, which struck at 10:33 p.m. (1433 GMT), was located in a mountainous area about 190 kilometres (120 miles) east-northeast of Nagqu, and 390 kilometres northeast of the regional capital Lhasa, the U.S. Geological Survey said.

A level-II earthquake disaster emergency response was activated in the area, Xinhuasaid earlier.

The epicentre was located in Maru township in Baqen county. Township deputy head Lhawang Dagpo said the quake was clearly felt at the township office, which sustained cracks in the walls, according to Xinhua.

Houses were reported collapsed in the area, the agency said. Power and telecoms services were disrupted in the county seat.

Workers have been sent to the area to coordinate the response, and local officials were carrying out checks of nearby villages, the report said.-Agencies