Earthquake in China's Xizang kills 16, injures 54

（ECNS）-- A magnitude-7.0 earthquake struck Baqen County in Nagqu City, China's Xizang Autonomous Region, late Thursday, killing 16 people and injuring 54 by Friday morning, local authorities said.

The earthquake struck at 10:33 p.m. local time on Thursday, prompting China to raise its national emergency response for earthquake disasters from Level IV to Level III.

Rescue teams have been dispatched to the affected area, while a Wing Loong unmanned aerial vehicle has been deployed to assess the damage, according to the Ministry of Emergency Management.

A total of 350 rescue personnel and 83 vehicles have been mobilized. As of 6:30 a.m. As of Friday, 120 personnel and 27 vehicles had arrived at the disaster site, while another 230 personnel and 56 vehicles from the Xizang Fire and Rescue Corps had reached Nagqu.

(By Evelyn)