November 4th 2023.
At least 132 people have been killed and dozens more injured after a powerful earthquake shook north-western Nepal. The 5.6 magnitude quake, which occurred just before midnight on Friday, was felt in India's capital, New Delhi, over 500 miles away. Communications have been shut off in many places, and the death toll is expected to rise.
At the regional hospital in the city of Nepalgunj, more than 100 beds were made available and teams of doctors stood by to help the injured. Bimal Kumar Karki, one of the first two people to be brought to the hospital, recalled his experience during the quake.
"I was fast asleep when all of a sudden it started shaking violently," he said. "I tried to run but the whole house collapsed. I tried escaping but half my body got buried in the debris. I screamed, but every one of my neighbours were in the same situation and screaming for help. It took nearly half an hour to an hour before rescuers found me."
The United States Geological Survey said the earthquake had a preliminary magnitude of 5.6 and occurred at a depth of 11 miles. Nepal's National Earthquake Monitoring and Research Centre said its epicentre was at Jajarkot, which is about 250 miles north-east of the Nepalese capital, Kathmandu.
As day broke on Saturday, rescue helicopters flew into the region to help out and security forces on the ground were digging out the injured and dead from the rubble. Troops were clearing roads and mountain trails that were blocked by landslides triggered by the earthquake. Helicopters flew in medical workers and medicine to hospitals in the area.
Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal also flew in on a helicopter with a team of doctors. Mr Dahal led an armed communist revolt in 1996-2006 that began from the districts that were hit by the quake. In the district of Jajarkot some 92 people were confirmed dead and 55 others injured, and at least 36 people were killed in the neighbouring district of Rukum.
Neighbouring India offered to help in the rescue efforts. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared on social media that he was deeply saddened by the loss of lives and damage due to the earthquake in Nepal. "India stands in solidarity with the people of Nepal and is ready to extend all possible assistance," he said.
The devastating quake left damaged houses in ruins in the aftermath of the disaster at Pipaldanda village of Jajarkot district. As security officials worked with villagers in the darkness to pull the dead and injured from fallen houses, more than 100 hospital beds have been made available for the survivors.
The magnitude of this earthquake has taken a toll on the lives of many and the aftermath of the destruction has been heartbreaking. As the rescue efforts continue, the world stands in solidarity with the people of Nepal and is determined to extend all possible assistance.
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