World · East Asia & Pacific · 1 hr ago
Heavy-lift drone surveys damage after 7.0-magnitude Tibet earthquake
A 7.0-magnitude earthquake struck Baqing County in Nagqu, Tibet.
China’s earthquake emergency search and rescue centre sent a heavy-lift unmanned helicopter to Maru Township, one of the hardest-hit areas.
The aircraft also surveyed Maru and Gangche townships using an optical camera system.
At an average altitude of about 5,400 metres, it mapped about 25 kilometres of ground rupture and helped check damage in the affected area.
The survey provides an initial assessment of earthquake damage in places that are difficult to reach.
The emergency coordination system that supplied the aircraft draws on more than 1,600 heavy-lift drones from 30 companies across China.
A heavy-lift drone surveyed earthquake damage in Tibet after a 7.0-magnitude quake struck Baqing county in Naqu city.
The drone team was sent to the hardest-hit Maru township to support rescue and relief work.
Using an optical-electronic pod, the drone checked Maru and Gangqie townships and surveyed surface rupture zones.
By the time of the report, it had surveyed about 25 kilometres of surface ruptures and completed initial damage checks.
The work took place at an average altitude of about 5,400 metres.
- Who
- The Ministry of Emergency Management’s China Earthquake Emergency Search and Rescue Center deployed the drone.
- What
- A heavy-lift drone surveyed earthquake damage and surface rupture zones.
- When
- After the 7.0-magnitude earthquake; the report was published on November 2, 2026.
- Where
- Baqing county, Naqu city, Tibet, including Maru and Gangqie townships.
- Why
- To support rescue and relief work and assess damage in the affected area.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The China Earthquake Emergency Search and Rescue Center activated its heavy-lift drone emergency rescue coordination mechanism and sent a drone to Maru township.
The drone checked Maru and Gangqie townships and surveyed surface rupture zones at an average altitude of about 5,400 metres.
The drone had surveyed about 25 kilometres of surface ruptures and completed initial damage checks.
- Earthquake magnitude
- 7.0
- Drone model
- FWH-1500
- Maximum flight weight
- 1 tonne
- Effective payload
- 450 kilograms
- Surveyed surface ruptures
- About 25 kilometres
- Average operating altitude
- About 5,400 metres