Current:Home > StocksNepal earthquake kills more than 150 people after houses collapse-InfoLens
Nepal earthquake kills more than 150 people after houses collapse
View Date:2024-12-23 14:27:38
More than 150 people are dead in Nepal Saturday after an earthquake struck the country's northwest region.
Local media in Nepal reported that most people died after being crushed by debris when their homes crumbled under the tremors late Friday. Homes in the region are usually made by stacking rocks and logs.
The U.S. Geological Survey said the earthquake had a preliminary 5.6 magnitude. Nepal’s National Earthquake Monitoring & Research Center said its epicenter was at Jajarkot, about 250 miles northeast of the Nepalese capital, Kathmandu.
Officials predict the death toll will rise, in part because the disaster cut communications.
“The priority is to find the survivors and take them to hospital,” said regional police chief, Bhim Dhakal.
Earthquakes are common in Nepal. A 7.8 magnitude earthquake in 2015 killed some 9,000 people and damaged about 1 million structures.
Rescue operations underway in Nepal
Security officials and villagers worked through the night to pull the dead and injured from fallen houses.
“I was asleep at night and around 10 or 11 at night it started shaking and the house caved. So many houses have collapsed and so many people have been buried,” Tika Ram Rana, who had his head wrapped in a white bandage, told the Associated Press.
Rescue operations are however hampered by mountainous villages only accessible by foot and roads in other parts of the country blocked by earthquake-induced landslides.
Deputy Prime Minister Narayan Kaji Shrestha said on Saturday the government is trying to get aid to the affected areas. Tents, food and medicine were being made available to those made homeless by the earthquake.
The quake, which hit when many people were already asleep in their homes, was also felt in India’s capital, New Delhi, more than 500 miles away.
Contributing: Associated Press
veryGood! (9691)
Related
- Falling scaffolding plank narrowly misses pedestrians at Boston’s South Station
- Number of potentially lethal meth candies unknowingly shared by New Zealand food bank reaches 65
- The Nasdaq sell-off has accelerated, and history suggests it'll get even worse
- Watch as frantic Texas cat with cup stuck on its head is rescued, promptly named Jar Jar
- Diamond Sports Group can emerge out of bankruptcy after having reorganization plan approved
- Did Dakota Johnson and Chris Martin Break Up? Here’s the Truth About Their Engagement
- Nick Jonas reflects on fatherhood, grief while promoting 'The Good Half'
- Matthew Perry’s death leads to sweeping indictment of 5, including doctors and reputed dealers
- Trump ally Steve Bannon blasts ‘lawfare’ as he faces New York trial after federal prison stint
- College hockey games to be played at Wrigley Field during Winter Classic week
Ranking
- Prosecutor failed to show that Musk’s $1M-a-day sweepstakes was an illegal lottery, judge says
- Katy Perry to receive Video Vanguard Award and perform live at 2024 MTV VMAs
- The 10 best non-conference college football games this season
- Ohio deputy fired more than a year after being charged with rape
- Michael Grimm, former House member convicted of tax fraud, is paralyzed in fall from horse
- Everything at Old Navy Is 40% off! Build Your Fall Fit with $20 Jeans, $7 Tops, $17 Dresses & More
- ESPN fires football analyst Robert Griffin III and host Samantha Ponder, per report
- Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars announce joint single 'Die with a Smile'
Recommendation
-
A pair of Trump officials have defended family separation and ramped-up deportations
-
Lily Collins has found ‘Emily 2.0’ in Paris
-
Prisoner serving life for murder who escaped in North Carolina has been caught, authorities say
-
Could Alex Murdaugh get new trial for South Carolina murders of wife and son?
-
Secret Service Agent Allegedly Took Ex to Barack Obama’s Beach House
-
Nordstrom Rack's Back-to-School Sale: Score Up to 82% Off Free People, Marc Jacobs & More Before It Ends
-
'Ketamine Queen,' doctors, director: A look at the 5 charged in Matthew Perry's death
-
Taylor Swift Changes Name of Song to Seemingly Diss Kanye West