China steps up road support after magnitude-7.0 quake in Xizang

China's transport authorities have stepped up road inspections and emergency support to ensure rescue vehicles can reach areas affected by a magnitude-7.0 earthquake in Southwest China's Xizang autonomous region.

Roads in the quake-hit area are under traffic controls, with access maintained for rescue vehicles while other vehicles are temporarily barred, according to the Ministry of Transport.

The earthquake struck Drachen county in Nagchu at 10:33 pm on Thursday. By 10 am Friday, 16 people had been killed and 76 injured, according to local authorities.

The ministry activated a Level III emergency response for road transport at 9 am Friday and dispatched a team to coordinate rescue support and efforts to keep roads open. It is also coordinating with the Ministry of Finance to arrange emergency funding for road clearance and repairs.

Level III is the second-lowest level in the ministry's four-tier response system, with Level I being the highest. Xizang's transport department activated its own Level II response after the earthquake.

Local highway authorities deployed 178 personnel and 39 pieces of machinery to inspect affected sections of five national highways and seven provincial roads. They have checked 2,377 kilometers of roads, 295 bridges and 635 culverts.

The inspections found varying degrees of damage along sections of national highway G345 and provincial highway S301. More detailed inspections of roads, bridges and other transport infrastructure are continuing.

Emergency equipment is being sent to the disaster-hit area from reserve centers in Lhasa and Qamdo to help crews clear debris and repair roads.

Crews from nearby construction projects run by centrally administered State-owned enterprises, along with other road maintenance teams, are on standby to provide additional support.