Nepal: 128 die as magnitude 6.4 earthquake hits Himalayan nation

At least 128 people died as a 6.4-magnitude earthquake hit a remote region in Nepal on Friday (November 3, 2023) as rescue workers fought to pull out survivors from the rubble.

The earthquake hit the Himalayan nation at 23:32:54 IST, according to India's National Center for Seismology.

The earthquake left 155 others injured in Jajarkot and Rukum West regions of Nepal.

According to Deputy Superintendent of Police of Armed Police Force Central Office, Shailendra Thapa, 92 people have died and 70 people were injured in Jajarkot. Similarly, 36 people died and 85 people were injured due to the quake in Rukum West, reported Rastriya Samachar Samiti.

Meanwhile, a team of 67 APF personnel, under the leadership of DSP Bikash Thapa, has been deployed from Ashram Battalion in Jajarkot to conduct the rescue operation in the region.

Similarly, a team of 24 members under the leadership of Armed Police Inspector Jhakku Prasad Sharma from No. 47 Battalion in Rukum West and 11 under the leadership of Sub-Inspector Bal Bahadur Thapa have deployed, Thapa was quoted as saying by the news agency.

Nepali Army personnel have also been deployed in earthquake-affected areas of Jajarkot and Rukum West to conduct rescue and relief operations.

The tremors of the earthquake were felt in neighbouring India.

Tremors were felt in New Delhi, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and some other parts of north India.

Nepal PM condoles:

Nepal PM Pushpa Kamal Dahal "Prachanda" has condoled the loss of lives in the incident and directed all three  security agencies to conduct immediate rescue and relief operations.

Indian PM Narendra Modi offers assistance:

Modi posted on X: "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."

Nepal witnessed widespread devastation in 2015 when a 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck the nation.

The earthquake killed nearly 9,000 people.