Powerful earthquake hits north-east India, killing at least six
A 6.7 magnitude earthquake has hit India’s remote north east region, killing at least six people, injuring more than 100 others and damaging buildings.
The death and injuries were caused by falling debris in and around Imphal, the capital of Manipur state, police said. Three people were killed in Imphal and another three in other parts of the state.
The powerful tremor left large cracks in walls and a portion of a popular market building collapsed.
The area is dotted with small houses and there are few tall buildings in the region, although a newly-built six-floor building collapsed in Imphal. A bridge also was damaged on the outskirts of the city.
The quake struck before dawn at a depth of about 10 miles in the India-Burma border region.
Police officer L Ragui said dozens of homes were damaged in Tamenglong. No deaths had been reported there, but four people were injured when a wall collapsed on them.
Shangthon Kamei, a teacher in Tamenglong, said the earthquake rattled buildings. “It lasted for around one minute. We were sleeping and were woken up by the earthquake,” he said.
Telephone and electricity connections were disrupted in some areas.
The epicentre of the earthquake was 20 miles north west of Imphal. The area is remote with poor mobile and internet connections and information about conditions outside major cities could take time to emerge.
Nearly 90 members of the National Disaster Response Force, a special national force for natural disasters, were checking on remote areas, police said.
People panicked and rushed out of their homes in Gauhati, the capital of neighbouring Assam state, as they felt massive shaking at least twice within 60 seconds.
In Imphal, residents said furniture was knocked over and books fell off shelves.
“The ground swayed for almost a minute, jolting people awake in their homes,” said Apem Arthur.
The tremors were also felt in Kolkata, formerly Calcutta, the capital of West Bengal state.
