Tragedy strikes Nepal as 5.6-magnitude earthquake claims over 60 lives

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A shallow 5.6-magnitude earthquake rocked a remote region of Nepal, leaving more than 60 people dead, according to officials who provided early reports on Saturday. The earthquake struck the far western reaches of the Himalayan nation late Friday night, with the epicenter located just 11 miles beneath the surface, as measured by the US Geological Survey.

Heart-wrenching images and videos circulated on social media, revealing locals working tirelessly in the darkness to rescue survivors from the debris of collapsed homes and buildings. The destructive force of the quake left mud houses flattened or severely damaged, compelling survivors to seek refuge outdoors as the sirens of emergency vehicles pierced the night.

The impact of the earthquake was felt as far away as India’s capital, New Delhi, nearly 500 kilometers from the epicenter, located 42 kilometers south of Jumla.

Reports from the affected areas painted a grim picture. Suresh Sunar, the chief of Jajarkot district, shared, “In our district, 26 people have died and many are injured. It is still night, and it is difficult to gather all the information. The toll might rise.” Meanwhile, in neighboring Rukum West, at least 36 people lost their lives, and 85 others sustained injuries, as confirmed by the area’s police chief, Namraj Bhattarai. Rescue efforts were immediately initiated in these stricken regions.

Nepal, situated on a major geological faultline where the Indian tectonic plate collides with the Eurasian plate, leading to the formation of the Himalayas, has witnessed its fair share of earthquakes over the years. The government swiftly mobilized security forces to assist in the ongoing rescue operations.

Home Ministry spokesman Nararyan Prasad Bhattarai stated, “We have information that there have been human and physical damages in two districts because of the quake, and security forces have been mobilized for rescue work.” As of now, the final casualty figures remained unconfirmed.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal of Nepal expressed his profound sorrow over the tragic loss of lives and extensive damage caused by the earthquake. This incident serves as a grim reminder of the devastating earthquake in 2015, which claimed the lives of nearly 9,000 people and left over 22,000 injured. It also resulted in the destruction of more than half a million homes, nearly 8,000 schools, and numerous historic monuments, including UNESCO World Heritage sites.

The economic toll from that disaster was estimated at a staggering $7 billion. This recent earthquake, with a magnitude of 5.6, eerily reminiscent of a 5.6-magnitude quake in November of the previous year, serves as a stark reminder of the geological challenges faced by the region.

Notably, Indian cities such as Lucknow and Patna also reported feeling the tremors from Friday’s earthquake. Additionally, an aftershock with a magnitude of 4.0 shook the same area several hours later, as confirmed by the US Geological Survey. The situation remains dire, with rescue efforts underway and the potential for more casualties yet to be determined.

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