Communications restored to pre-earthquake levels in quake-hit Xizang

2026-10-23 Ecns.cn Editor：Mo Honge

(ECNS) -- All 628 mobile base stations disrupted by a magnitude 7.0 earthquake in southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region have been restored, returning communications in the affected areas to pre-earthquake levels, the Xizang Communications Administration said Friday.

The earthquake struck Baqen County in Nagqu at 10:33 p.m. Thursday, knocking out 628 base stations, or 8.5% of the city's total. Restoration took 12 hours, the administration said.

As of 10:30 a.m. Friday, the region's communications sector had mobilized 131 emergency repair workers and 50 vehicles. Relief teams also deployed 38 mobile power generators, 30 satellite phones, 11 portable satellite base stations, one drone and 17 walkie-talkies to support emergency communications.

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)

(By Gong Weiwei)