News / India

Nine killed in 6.7-magnitude earthquake in northeast India

Monday, 04 January 2016 5:49 AM [ Last Update: Monday, 04 January 2016 10:55 AM ]

The photo obtained by AFP shows damage from a strong 6.7-magnitude earthquake which struck northeast India near the country's borders with Myanmar and Bangladesh in the city of Imphal, capital of Manipur State, early on January 4, 2016.

A powerful 6.7-magnitude earthquake that struck northeastern India and was felt in neighboring Bangladesh and Myanmar has claimed the lives of at least nine people, officials say.

On Monday, officials said at least six people lost their lives in India, while three were reported to have died in neighboring Bangladesh.

More than 200 people were also injured in the quake.

"A six-story building in the capital was partially damaged and some small structures have also developed cracks," said Anurag Gupta, an official with the Indian National Disaster Management Authority.

Indian Home Ministry spokesman Kuldeep Singh Dhatwalia also confirmed the number of casualties.

According to the US Geological Survey (USGS), the quake took place at 4:35 local time (23:05 GMT) Sunday, about 29 kilometers (18 miles) northwest of Imphal, the capital of Manipur State.

The earthquake, which was initially measured at 6.8-magnitude, struck at a depth of 17 kilometers (10 miles) and was centered in an isolated area in India.

Locals say the quake was felt as far away as 600 kilometers (370 miles).

This comes days after a 5.8-magnitude earthquake, which was also felt across northern India, hit Afghanistan's Hindu Kush region.

The region is prone to earthquakes, which are caused by the northward collision of the Indian and Eurasian plates.

Last April, some 9,000 people were killed in an earthquake in Nepal, which is located northeast of India.

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