An emergency response has swung into high gear after a magnitude-7.0 earthquake hit high-altitude Baqen County in Nagqu City, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, at 10:33 p.m. on Thursday.

China Media Group (CMG) reporter Bai Yukun has reached the heart of the disaster zone in Maru Township, where he documented extensive structural damage to homes and a massive deployment of rescue and relief crews overnight that has already delivered safe shelter and basic necessities to displaced residents.