Massive earthquake in Nepal kills 128, PM Modi says ‘India stands in solidarity’
The death toll in Nepal due to the powerful 6.4 magnitude earthquake that struck late on Friday has reached 128, news agency Reuters reported.
More than 140 people sustained injuries in the Jajarkot and Rukum districts of Western Nepal, according to state-run Nepal Television. The epicentre of the quake was at the Lamidanda area in Jajarkot, according to officials at the National Earthquake Measurement Centre.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday expressed grief over the loss of lives due to the earthquake in Nepal.
Taking to his official X account, PM Narendra Modi said, “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.”
The office of Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal said all three security agencies in the country have been mobilised for the immediate rescue and relief of the injured.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Dahal ‘Prachanda’ to a stock of the earthquake-affected areas of the country on Saturday.
The country’s home ministry said reports of injuries and damage to property were coming from other districts too, including Dailekh, Salyan, and Rolpa districts.
The injured people were being treated at a hospital in Jajarkot, which is about 500 kilometres west of Kathmandu.
Earthquakes are common in the Himalayan nation of Nepal.
On October 3, a series of earthquakes, the strongest – being magnitude 6.2, jolted Nepal in quick succession with tremors reverberating through parts of North India including the Delhi-NCR area.
A year back, in November 2022, six people were killed after a 6.3 magnitude earthquake struck the Doti district. It was among a series of quakes that jolted the country.
A 7.8 magnitude earthquake in 2015 killed more than 12,000 people and damaged about 1 million structures in the mountainous country.