Nepal Struggles with Rising Death Toll After 6.4-Magnitude Earthquake

The aftermath of a powerful 6.4-magnitude earthquake in Nepal has left the death toll at 128, with 140 people injured, according to government officials. The earthquake, which struck the Jajarkot and Rukum West districts late on Friday night, has hindered rescue operations due to damaged bridges and blocked roads caused by landslides triggered by the quake.

The earthquake had a shallow depth of 10 to 15 km, with four additional aftershocks above magnitude 4.0 recorded by Saturday morning, intensifying the challenges faced by rescue teams. Nepal’s government is prioritizing the rescue and treatment of the injured, with Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal visiting the affected area alongside health workers and deploying helicopters for rescue efforts.

While the immediate focus is on rescue, there have been no reports of casualties from other districts thus far. This earthquake serves as a stark reminder of the seismic vulnerability of Nepal, which suffered a devastating 7.8-magnitude earthquake in 2015, claiming thousands of lives and causing extensive damage to infrastructure and homes.