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Northeast India rocked by quake

January 4, 2016

A deadly 6.7-magnitude earthquake has hit northeastern India near the border with Myanmar and Bangladesh. Several people were reported killed, with dozens more injured across the region.

https://p.dw.com/p/1HXSy
Indien Erdbeeben in Siliguri
Image: Getty Images/AFP/D. Dutta

The quake hit shortly before dawn on Monday in India's remote northeast region.

India's Meteorological Department said the epicenter of the 6.7-magnitude earthquake occurred in the Tamenglong region of Manipur state. The quake was also recorded by the US Geological Survey, initially at magnitude 6.8.

"Five deaths have been reported from in and around Imphal due to falling debris. Fortunately, only four injuries have been reported from the epicenter area," said J Suresh Babu, principal secretary of Manipur state.

At least 43 people received hospital treatment.

The tremors also knocked out power in Imphal and caused a newly constructed six-story building to collapse, according to police sources.

An injured resident (C) is assisted upon his arrival for treatment at Siliguri Hospital following an earthquake in Siliguri on January 4, 2016.
The quake injured dozens in SiliguriImage: Getty Images/AFP/D. Dutta

Residents fled their homes as the area was rocked by at least two tremors within 60 seconds.

There were no reports of major structural damage in neighboring Assam state, but residents said furniture was knocked over and books fell off shelves.

Tremors were also felt in Kolkata, the capital of West Bengal state, as well as in the neighboring nations of Myanmar, Bangladesh and Bhutan.

One person was killed in a stampede in Bangladesh as inhabitants of an apartment building fled outside, police said.

smm, dj/cmk (AP, dpa, Reuters, AFP)