Nepal earthquake highlights: Death toll rises to 140 as strong quake hits Kathmandu

Nepalese authorities said their focus was on finding survivors after a strong earthquake shook districts in northwestern Nepal just before midnight Friday, killing at least 140 people and injuring dozens more. “The priority is to find the survivors and take them to hospital,” said regional police chief, Bhim Dhakal, “while we recover bodies of the deceased.” Troops were clearing roads and mountain trails blocked by landslides triggered by the earthquake. Helicopters flew in medical workers and medicines to the hospitals there.

At least 140 people were killed and several others injured when a powerful 6.4 magnitude earthquake jolted Nepal just before midnight on Friday, destroying hundreds of houses in the Himalayan country’s remote mountainous region in the most devastating tremor since 2015. According to the National Earthquake Monitoring and Research Centre, the earthquake with an epicentre in Jajarkot district, about 500 km west of Kathmandu, was recorded at 11:47 pm.

Nepal Earthquake | Visuals from Jajarkot that has been ravaged by the earthquake that struck last night.

Bheri Hospital, Kohalpur Medical College, Nepalgunj military hospital and Police Hospital have been made dedicated hospital for the earthquake-affected. All heli-operators… pic.twitter.com/odRG4vkBwE

— ANI (@ANI) November 4, 2023

Several districts of Jharkhand felt mild tremors. However, there was no report of loss of life or property in any part of the state. Ranchi, Hazaribag, Garhwa, Koderma, Ramgarh and some other parts of the state experienced mild tremors on Friday night. The mild jolts triggered panic among people.

Strong tremors were felt in several districts of Bihar as an earthquake of magnitude 6.4 struck neighbouring Nepal, officials said on Saturday. However, no loss of life or damage to property was reported in the state. According to the Bihar Disaster Management Department, the tremors were felt in Patna, Katihar, East Champaran, Darbhanga, Muzaffarpur, West Champaran, Sasaram, Nawada and several other districts along the India-Nepal border. “There were no reports of any loss of life or damage to property due to the earthquake,” the department said in a statement.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday expressed anguish over the loss of lives and damage caused by an earthquake in Nepal and asserted that India stands in solidarity with its neighbouring country and is ready to extend all possible assistance. “Deeply saddened by loss of lives and damage due to the earthquake in Nepal. India stands in solidarity with the people of Nepal and is ready to extend all possible assistance. Our thoughts are with the bereaved families and we wish the injured a quick recovery,” he said on X.

Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ leaves for earthquake-affected areas of the country.

(Pics Source: Nepal officials) pic.twitter.com/fgxK2Ttep6

— ANI (@ANI) November 4, 2023

A 7.8 magnitude earthquake in 2015 killed some 9,000 people and damaged about 1 million structures.

The US Geological Survey said the earthquake had a preliminary magnitude of 5.6 and occurred at a depth of 11 miles. Nepal’s National Earthquake Monitoring & Research Center said its epicentre was at Jajarkot, which is about 250 miles northeast of the Nepalese capital, Kathmandu.

Welcome to the live blog on Nepal earthquake. The 6.4 magnitude quake had hit Kathmandu late Friday night. The death toll has risen to 128 while the rescue operations are underway.

Stay tuned for latest updates.