Massive earthquake in Nepal; 128 people killed, several people injured

KATHMANDU: At least 128 people were killed and over 100 people were injured after a strong earthquake of 6.4 magnitude jolted Nepal in the late hours of Friday. Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda' has left for earthquake-affected areas. The earthquake was also felt in different parts of India, including Delhi.

Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal said that the earthquake struck Ramidanda village in Jajarkot district of western Nepal at around 11.47 pm local time and security agencies have been instructed to carry out emergency rescue operations for the injured.

According to reports, as many as 44 people have died and 70 others have been injured in Ramidanda. More than 55 people have been injured in Jajarkot. Of them, five have been taken to the Karnali Province Hospital in Surkhet while the others have been undergoing treatment at various medical institutes in the district.

Meanwhile, the death toll in West Rukum has reached 36, Deputy Superintendent of Police of West Rukum district Namaraj Bhattarai said citing preliminary data. As many as 36 people were reported dead in Aathbiskot Municipality and eight others died in Sanibheri Rural Municipality. Authorities said that rescue operations are going on in the affected areas. Several houses and buildings collapsed. Many people are trapped in the ruins of buildings. Roads have collapsed and communication systems have been disrupted.