128 Killed, Dozens Injured in Nepal Earthquake

On November 4, 2023, a strong earthquake struck the western area of Jajarkot in Nepal, resulting in the death of at least 128 people and leaving dozens injured. The quake caused houses to collapse and even shook buildings as far away as New Delhi in neighboring India.

The earthquake, measuring 6.4 on the Richter scale, occurred at 11:47 p.m. on Friday, according to Nepal’s National Seismological Centre. The German Research Centre for Geosciences downgraded the magnitude to 5.7, while the U.S. Geological Survey measured it at 5.6.

This is the deadliest earthquake since 2015, when Nepal was hit by two earthquakes that claimed the lives of around 9,000 people. The previous disaster resulted in the destruction of towns, historic sites, and over a million homes, causing an estimated $6 billion in damages.

Authorities are concerned that the death toll from this recent quake may rise even further, as communication has been limited in the hilly region near the epicenter. This area, located 500 km (300 miles) west of the capital Kathmandu, is sparsely populated with scattered villages.

“The number of injured could be in the hundreds, and the death toll may increase,” said Harish Chandra Sharma, an official from Jajarkot district.

According to police spokesman Kuber Kadayat, 92 fatalities were reported in Jajarkot, with an additional 36 in the neighboring Rukum West district. The village of Ramidanda was at the epicenter of the earthquake.

The prime minister’s office stated that at least 85 people were injured in Rukum West, while 55 others were injured in Jajarkot. Rescue efforts have been hampered by blocked roads due to landslides triggered by the earthquake.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal flew to the affected area with an army medical team to oversee search, rescue, and relief operations. He expressed his condolences on social media and ordered immediate action from security agencies.

Video footage and eyewitness accounts show collapsed houses and panicked residents fleeing into the streets. The search and rescue teams are working tirelessly to assess the damage and provide aid to affected individuals.

“Houses have collapsed, and people rushed out in fear. I am amidst a crowd of terrified residents, trying to gather details of the damage,” said police official Santosh Rokka.

Reported by Gopal Sharma in Kathmandu; additional reporting by Aditya Kalra and Shivam Patel in New Delhi, and Gnaneshwar Rajan and Jahnavi Nidumolu in Bengaluru; edited by Sandra Maler, YP Rajesh, and William Mallard.

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