A magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck northern Tibet on Thursday night, killing at least 16 people, according to the Guardian, the BBC and CBS News, citing Chinese state media.

The quake hit at 10:33 PM local time, the United States Geological Survey said, according to the Guardian and CBS News. Its center was about 119 miles east-northeast of the city of Nagqu, in a high area where few people live, they reported.

The center of the quake was in Baqên County in the Nagqu region, Xinhua reported, according to the BBC.

At least 339 homes and 20 livestock sheds collapsed, the Nagqu media office said, according to the Guardian and CBS News. More than 1,600 people from the local county were sent to help with rescues, they reported.

Supplies including 1,000 prefab housing units and about 3,000 tents and folding beds reached the region, the Guardian and CBS News reported.

The USGS recorded at least seven aftershocks, the Guardian and the BBC said. Chinese state media later said more than 400 aftershocks had been recorded, the BBC reported.

Power was cut off in the area, and rockfalls closed roads, the BBC said. Local media said more than 12,400 people had been moved, the BBC reported.

Many people spent the night outdoors in freezing weather, in tents or cars, the BBC said. They feared aftershocks would trap them in their homes, it said.

The area sits about 15,750 feet above sea level, China's Premier Li Qiang noted, according to the BBC. China said it would spend 50 million yuan, or about $7.5 million, on relief, the BBC reported.

It was the biggest quake in the region in five years, China's state broadcaster CCTV said, according to the Guardian and CBS News.

What we know: A magnitude 7.0 quake in northern Tibet killed at least 16 people and destroyed hundreds of homes.
What we don't: How many people were hurt, since the reports give different numbers.