Western Theater Command Air Force deploys drone to survey earthquake-hit area in Xizang

2026-10-23 Ecns.cn Editor：Mo Honge

(ECNS) -- A drone operated by the Western Theater Command Air Force of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) was dispatched to the earthquake-hit area in Nagqu City in southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, shortly after midnight Friday to conduct an aerial survey, according to the official WeChat account of the People's Air Force.

A magnitude-7.0 earthquake struck Baqen County in Nagqu City at 10:33 p.m. on Thursday. The Western Theater Command Air Force promptly activated its emergency response plan for disaster relief. Taking into account the complex nighttime weather conditions and rugged terrain on the plateau, it carefully planned the flight route before dispatching the drone.

Firefighters conduct search-and-rescue operations in earthquake-hit Baqen County in Nagqu City, Xizang, in the early hours of Oct. 23, 2026. (Photo courtesy of Xizang Fire and Rescue)

Meanwhile, multiple types of transport aircraft, helicopters and ground rescue teams remain on standby, ready to support earthquake relief operations at any time.

(By Gong Weiwei)