Kathmandu: The death toll in Nepal has climbed to over 140 following a powerful 6.4 magnitude earthquake that struck late on Friday. In addition, more than 140 individuals have sustained injuries in the Jajarkot and Rukum districts of Western Nepal, as reported by Nepal Television, a state-run channel.
The earthquake's epicenter was located in the Lamidanda area of Jajarkot, about 500 KM from Kathmandu, as confirmed by officials at the National Earthquake Measurement Centre.
Nepal's Prime Minister, Pushpa Kamal Dahal, has directed all three security agencies in the country to mobilize for the immediate rescue and relief efforts for the injured. Prime Minister Dahal, also known as 'Prachanda,' visited the earthquake-affected areas of the country on Saturday.
Locals captured on video sifting through debris
According to Nepalese authorities, the number of injured individuals has exceeded 140, and the death toll is anticipated to climb. Locals were captured on video sifting through debris during the nighttime, desperately searching for survivors amidst the ruins of collapsed residences and structures.
Numerous houses crumbled or suffered damage, leaving survivors huddled outside, gripped by fear and surrounded by the blaring sounds of emergency sirens. The seismic tremors even reached as far as New Delhi, which is more than 500 kilometers away.
In Rukum West, at least 36 individuals have been officially reported as casualties, while in Jajarkot, the count stands at 34.
Hari Prasad Pant, the Chief District Officer of Rukum West, shared, "At least 36 people have been confirmed dead in Rukum West, and the toll is expected to rise further. This is the update we have been able to get till 5 am (local time)," according to ANI.
The country's home ministry has received reports of injuries and property damage from other districts, including Dailekh, Salyan, and Rolpa.
In Jajarkot, which is situated approximately 500 kilometers west of Kathmandu, injured individuals are receiving treatment at a local hospital.
Nepal frequently experiences earthquakes
Nepal frequently experiences earthquakes due to its location in the Himalayan region. Just on October 3, a series of earthquakes, with the strongest measuring 6.2 in magnitude, rattled Nepal and adjacent areas, including the Delhi-NCR region in North India.
One year earlier, in November 2022, six people lost their lives when a 6.3 magnitude earthquake struck the Doti district as part of a series of seismic events affecting the country.
The most devastating earthquake in recent memory occurred in 2015 when a 7.8 magnitude quake claimed the lives of over 12,000 people and caused extensive damage to around 1 million structures in the mountainous nation.
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