Nepal Earthquake: The death toll in the Nepal earthquake that occurred on Friday in the western area of Jajarkot has risen to 128, news agency Reuters reported, citing police. Initial reports had suggested that at least 69 people were killed and several others sustained injuries in the earthquake. In a post on X, Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal expressed deep sorrow at the loss of life in the earthquake and ordered security agencies to launch rescue and relief operations.
"Honorable Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal "Prachanda" has expressed his deep sorrow over the human and material damage caused by the earthquake at Ramidanda in Jajarkot at 11:47 on Friday night and has mobilized all 3 security agencies for the immediate rescue and relief of the injured," PMO Nepal said on X.
According to Nepal officials, Bheri Hospital, Kohalpur Medical College, Nepalgunj Military Hospital, and Police Hospital have been made dedicated hospitals for earthquake-affected areas. All heli-operators in Nepal have been told to be on standby, and regular flight movement has been suspended to facilitate the airlifting of injured people from affected areas. Instructions have been given to station an ambulance at Nepalgunj Airport and the military barrack helipad, as reported by ANI.
According to Nepal's National Seismological Centre, the earthquake had a magnitude of 6.4; however, the German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ) later reduced the magnitude to 5.7, and the U.S. Geological Survey pegged it at 5.6, Reuters reported. Local officials stated that the contact was not established in the area near the epicentre in Jajarkot.
Jajarkot local official Harish Chandra Sharma said at least 34 people lost their lives in his district, and as far as the neighbouring Rukum West district is concerned, police official Namaraj Bhattarai said at least 35 deaths had been reported. "Rescue and search teams have to clear roads blocked by dry landslides due to the earthquake to reach the affected areas," Bhattarai said, as quoted by Reuters.
Ramidanda, where the epicentre lies, has not been reached by authorities yet. At least 20 people with injuries were rushed to the hospital, Jajarkot district official Suresh Sunar told Reuters. "I am out in the open myself. We are collecting details, but due to the cold and night it is difficult to get information from remote areas," he told Reuters.
Nepal's National Seismological Centre said the earthquake occurred at 11:47 p.m. (1802 GMT) in Jajarkot district of Karnali province. As per the local media footage, crumbled facades of multi-storied brick houses, with large pieces of furniture scattered, as reported by Reuters.
Tremors were felt in neighbouring districts and as far away as Kathmandu, residents said. "Houses have collapsed. People rushed out of their homes. I am out in the crowd of terrified residents. We are trying to find details of damages," police official Santosh Rokka told Reuters by phone.