5.6 Magnitude Earthquake Kills Over 100 People in Nepal

Posted: November 5, 2023 9:31 pm

An earthquake rattled a remote part of northwestern Nepal in the overnight hours Friday. As of late Saturday, at least 129 people have been confirmed dead as a result of the earthquake. Local officials warn that the death toll is likely to rise as crews sift through the rubble left behind by toppled buildings. Here is the latest information on this developing situation in Asia.

Details of Earthquake

According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the earthquake measured a magnitude of 5.6. The quake hit about 26 miles from Jumla, Nepal, located in the province of Karnali. The earthquake hit at a shallow depth of just 18 kilometers. People as far away as the India capital city of New Delhi reported feeling the tremors.

In addition to the confirmed fatalities, at least 140 people have been reported to be injured. These numbers make this earthquake the deadliest tremor in Nepal since 2015.

The bulk of the deaths were reported in Jajarkot district, located closest to the earthquake’s epicenter. There have been 92 confirmed fatalities and 55 injuries reported in Jajarkot. Video footage coming in from the region shows the destruction of multiple homes in Jajarkot. Meanwhile, the nearby Rukam West district is reporting 37 deaths and 85 injuries.

Nepal is no stranger to major earthquakes. The country is located where the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates converge to form what most people recognize as the Himalayan mountain range. Approximately 9,000 deaths were blamed on a 7.8 magnitude earthquake in 2015. This monster quake caused $6 billion in damage while damaging about one million structures across the country.

Communication Problems Throughout Region Complicating Recovery Efforts

Officials are growing increasingly worried that the number of casualties will increase. The earthquake has cut communications to and from the hills surrounding the epicenter, making it difficult to determine the extent of the damage. Jajarkot district official Harish Chandra Sharma told reporters that the number of injured could end up measured in the hundreds. The hospital in Jajarkot is reportedly inundated with the wounded seeking medical treatment.

Sharma said that thousands of residents in the impacted region were forced to spend the night outside in the cold as the result of damage to homes and other structures. Cracks in the buildings have forced people outside out of fear of collapse.

Three additional tremors were recorded in the hour following the initial earthquake. In addition, roads have been blocked by landslides that were triggered in the aftermath of the earthquake. These blocked roads are making it more challenging for search and rescue crews to reach the area.

Approximately 190,000 people live in the Jajarkot district. The hilly terrain is distinguished by the many small villages that dot the landscape of this remote area.

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