At least one killed, four injured as 6.3-magnitude earthquake hits northwestern China

One person was killed and four others injured on Tuesday (June 16, 2026) after a 6.3-magnitude earthquake jolted Haixi Mongolian and Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in northwest China.

The quake struck at 5.06 p.m. (local time) at a depth of 10 km, with the epicentre at 37.80 degrees north latitude and 95.56 degrees east longitude, said a report issued by the China Earthquake Networks Centre.

The Qinghai provincial seismological bureau dispatched an on-site work team to the quake-hit area to assist local authorities with emergency response.

A Level II provincial emergency response for earthquake disasters was issued at 6.10 p.m., according to the provincial emergency management bureau, state-run Xinhua news agency reported.

All operating staff at coal mine enterprises near the epicentre have been fully evacuated. Inspections are underway to tally further casualties and damages.

The Ministry of Emergency Management has mobilised rescue forces to the quake-hit area to conduct all-out searches for trapped people.

The ministry has also allocated relief supplies for affected people and stepped up seismic monitoring, tracking and assessment, the China Central Television (CCTV) reported.

China’s State Council’s earthquake relief headquarters and the Ministry of Emergency Management jointly activated a Level IV earthquake disaster emergency response, and dispatched a work group to guide on-site response operations, Xinhua reported.