Devastating Earthquake in Western Nepal: Death Toll Rises
A powerful earthquake has brought tragedy to western Nepal, resulting in at least 69 fatalities and injuring numerous individuals. The quake, initially striking on Friday, has led to widespread structural damage, with witnesses reporting the collapse of numerous houses.
The earthquake was first assessed as magnitude 6.4 by Nepal’s National Seismological Centre, but subsequent evaluations by the German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ) and the US Geological Survey adjusted the magnitude to 5.7 and 5.6, respectively.
The epicenter was located in the district of Jajarkot, a region characterized by its hilly terrain and scattered villages. Efforts to establish communication with this area have proved challenging, as reported by local official Harish Chandra Sharma. In Jajarkot alone, at least 34 people have perished, while neighboring Rukum West district has reported approximately 35 deaths, according to police official Namaraj Bhattarai.
Rescue operations have been hampered by blockages due to dry landslides, with the epicenter in Ramidanda still inaccessible.
Suresh Sunar, a district official from Jajarkot, communicated with Reuters by phone, indicating that at least 20 individuals had been hospitalized. Gathering detailed information has been hindered by the challenging conditions of darkness and cold.
The seismic event occurred late at 11.47pm local time, with Jajarkot lying around 500km west of Nepal's capital, Kathmandu. Local media have captured the aftermath, showing the rubble of what once were multistory brick buildings. Tremors were not confined to the immediate area, being felt across distant districts and even in Kathmandu.
Policeman Santosh Rokka relayed the panic on the ground as people vacated their homes, joining the throngs of terrified residents.
The quake's impact extended beyond Nepal, with reports of tremors in New Delhi, located about 600km from the epicenter. Social media platform X, previously known as Twitter, bore witness to the panic as videos surfaced of residents fleeing into the streets and evacuating buildings.
This disaster echoes the vulnerability of the region to seismic activity, prompting urgent calls for assistance and a rapid response to prevent further loss of life and to support those affected.