Himalaya earthquake kills at least 53
(Reuters)
September 19, 2011
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A 6.9-magnitude earthquake hit the Himalayan region, killing at least 53 dead and many wounded.
The quake struck at 6:10 local time and was felt in five countries, including Bangladesh and Buddhist Bhutan.
At least 31 people died at the scene of the quake’s epicenter in the Indian state of Sikkim.
The earthquake also hit northeast India, Nepal and Tibet.
Rescuers climbed under a heavy rain, to reach an isolated Himalayan region to search for survivors.
The dense fog prevented helicopters fly over the affected area, which houses some of the highest mountains in the world, and officials said that “the toll could rise. Thousands of soldiers who collaborate in the work may not reach many areas until Tuesday because the mountain passes are blocked. “
One of the spokesmen of the disaster team of the UN in New Delhi said “The situation does not look good. I feel that the number of deaths and injuries will increase.”
“Even if the number of casualties is low, it is likely that there is an enormous need for humanitarian assistance to affected civilians whose homes have been destroyed and need food and shelter. The UN takes this very seriously.”
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