A powerful earthquake in Nepal has killed at least 69 people.

The Nepal National Seismological Centre reported the earthquake as having a magnitude of 6.4, but the German Geological Survey (GFZ) later downgraded it to 5.7, and the U.S. Geological Survey determined it to be 5.6.

Two images of the earthquake. Photo: India Today

Local officials said they were unable to establish communication in the area near the epicenter in Jajarkot, a hilly district with a population of 190,000 and villages scattered across remote hills.

Local official Harish Chandra Sharma of Jajarkot said at least 34 people had died in his district, while in the neighboring Rukum West district, police officer Namaraj Bhattarai said at least 35 deaths had been reported. Jajarkot district official Suresh Sunar said at least 20 people had been taken to hospital with injuries.

Bhattarai said, “Rescue and search teams have to clear roads blocked by landslides to reach the affected areas.” Ramidanda, where the epicenter is located, has yet to be reached by authorities.

Nepalese Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal expressed deep sorrow over the loss of life and property in the earthquake and ordered security agencies to immediately deploy rescue and relief operations.

Nepal's National Seismological Centre said the earthquake occurred at 11:47 p.m. local time on Friday in Jajarkot district, Karnali province. Jajarkot is located about 500 kilometers west of the capital Kathmandu.

Local media images showed the ruined facades of multi-story brick houses, with large pieces of furniture scattered around. Residents said they could feel the tremors in neighboring districts and as far away as Kathmandu.

The earthquake shook buildings as far away as New Delhi, about 600 km away. Videos on the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, showed people running into the streets as some buildings were evacuated.

In 2015, approximately 9,000 people died in two earthquakes in Nepal. Entire towns, centuries-old temples, and other historical monuments were reduced to rubble, with over a million homes destroyed, causing economic damage of up to $6 billion.

Huy Hoang (according to Reuters, AP, India Today)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/dong-dat-manh-o-nepal-khien-it-nhat-69-nguoi-thiet-mang-cam-nhan-duoc-ca-o-an-do-post271069.html