Devastating earthquake hits Nepal claiming over 129 lives
A devastating earthquake hit northwestern Nepal, claiming the lives of over 129 individuals, as confirmed by the police The catastrophe occurred just before midnight on Friday evening, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake
A remote area of northwestern Nepal was struck by an earthquake overnight on Friday, resulting in the confirmed deaths of at least 129 people, according to police. Multiple buildings have collapsed, leading officials to warn that the death toll may increase. The earthquake, with a magnitude of 5.6 as reported by the United States Geological Survey (USGS), originated approximately 42 kilometers (26 miles) from Jumla, Nepal, in Karnali province. Despite its shallow depth of 18 kilometers, the tremors were felt as far as India's capital, New Delhi.
According to CNN, the Nepal police spokesperson, Kuber Kadayat, has confirmed that there have been 129 fatalities and 140 injuries reported so far. Specifically, in Jajarkot district, which is in close proximity to the epicenter of the earthquakes, 92 people have been confirmed dead and 55 injured. Additionally, in the neighboring Rukam West district, there have been 37 reported deaths and 85 injuries, as stated by Kadayat.
Nepal, located at the convergence of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates, experiences frequent earthquakes that give rise to the majestic Himalayan mountain range.
In 2015, a devastating earthquake measuring 7.8 on the Richter scale resulted in the tragic loss of at least 9,000 lives. The earthquake caused extensive damage to around one million homes and structures throughout vast areas of the country, leading to an estimated $6 billion in damages.
Officials expressed concerns to Reuters that the number of casualties might increase due to the inability to establish contact in the mountainous region close to the epicenter, approximately 500 kilometers (300 miles) west of the capital city of Kathmandu, where tremors were also experienced.
Harish Chandra Sharma, an official from Jajarkot district, stated over the phone to Reuters that the count of injured individuals could potentially reach hundreds, and the fatalities could also rise.
"Numerous homes have crumbled, while others have acquired fractures. In fear of subsequent aftershocks, thousands of locals endured a sleepless night out in the chilly, open fields rather than taking refuge in the compromised houses," Sharma stated.
With its villages spread throughout the isolated hills, Jajarkot district is home to a population of 190,000. Images published by AFP news agency depict survivors congregating at the main hospital in Jajarkot.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on X, expressed his heartfelt sympathy to the families of the earthquake victims in Nepal. He conveyed his deep sorrow over the loss of lives and the extensive damage caused by the earthquake. Modi assured that India stands in strong solidarity with the people of Nepal and is prepared to provide any assistance possible. He further extended his thoughts and prayers to the grieving families and wished a speedy recovery to the injured.
This is a breaking story and will be updated
