International

4 dead, 100 injured as quake rocks Northeast India

A 6.7 magnitude earthquake hit the India’s remote northeast region before dawn on Monday, killing at least four people, injuring 100 others and causing damage to several buildings. The death and injuries were caused by falling debris in and around Imphal, police said. There were reports of damage to a popular market in Imphal, the capital of Manipur. The tremor left large cracks in several walls and a portion of the building collapsed, police said. India’s Meteorological Department said the epicentre of the quake was in Tamenglong region of Manipur. It struck before dawn on Monday at a depth of 17 kilometres in the India-Myanmar border region. The U.S. Geological Survey said the depth was 55 kilometres. The epicentre of the earthquake was 35 kilometres northwest of Imphal. 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 but no major damage has been reported so far.“The ground swayed for almost a minute, jolting people awake in their homes,” said one resident, Apem Arthur. The area is dotted with small houses. There are few tall buildings in the region, she said. The tremors were also felt in Kolkata. Late last year, a powerful earthquake struck Nepal killing nearly 7,000 across four countries. It was the worst temblor to hit the South Asian nation in over 80 years. The Himalayan earthquake left devastation in its wake.