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6.7 magnitude quake hits India’s northeast Strong quake in India’s remote northeast kills at least 8
(about 11 hours later)
GAUHATI, India — India’s remote northeast region was hit before dawn on Monday by a 6.7 magnitude earthquake but there was no immediate word on casualties. GAUHATI, India — A strong earthquake hit India’s remote northeast region before dawn Monday, killing at least eight people, injuring more than 100 and causing damage to several buildings.
India’s Meteorological Department said the epicenter of the quake was in Tamenglong region of Manipur state. It struck before dawn on Monday at a depth of 17 kilometers (about 10 miles) in the India-Myanmar border region. The U.S. Geological Survey said the depth was 55 kilometers (about 34 miles). The death and injuries were caused by falling debris. Manipur state’s home minister, G. Gaikhangam, said several parts of the state suffered extensive damage.
People panicked and rushed out of their homes in Gauhati, the capital of neighboring Assam state as they felt massive shaking at least twice within 60 seconds. He said the state capital of Imphal was hit hard, but did not give any details. Authorities were still assessing the situation, Gaikhangam told reporters.
In the city of Imphal, the capital of Manipur state, residents said furniture was knocked over and books fell off shelves but no major damage was reported so far. Three people were killed in Imphal and the other five in other parts of the state, said police officer A.K. Jalajit.
The area is dotted with small houses. There are few tall buildings in the region. Media reports said five people were killed by the earthquake in neighboring Bangladesh, but there was no immediate official confirmation.
The tremors were also felt in Kolkata, the capital of West Bengal state. In India, the 6.7-magnitude tremor left large cracks in walls, and a portion of a popular market building collapsed in Imphal. The area is dotted with small houses.
There are few tall buildings in the region, although a newly constructed six-story building collapsed in Imphal, police said. A bridge also was damaged on the outskirts of the city.
India’s Meteorological Department said the epicenter of the quake was in the Tamenglong region of Manipur. It struck at a depth of 17 kilometers (10 miles) below the surface and not far from the border with Myanmar.
Police officer L. Ragui said by telephone that dozens of homes were slightly damaged in Tamenglong.
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 epicenter was 35 kilometers (20 miles) northwest of Imphal. The area is remote, with poor cellphone and Internet connections, and information about conditions outside of major cities may take time to emerge.
Nearly 90 members of the National Disaster Response Force, a specialized federal force for natural disasters, have left to check on remote areas, police said.
People panicked and rushed out of their homes in Gauhati, the capital of neighboring 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 one resident, Apem Arthur.
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Associated Press writer Chonchui Ngashangva in New Delhi contributed to this report.
Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.