87 killed in India quake
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.AT LEAST 87 people were yesterday reported killed after an earthquake rocked the Himalayan foothills. Officials fear the final death toll could rise into the hundreds.
The quake, which was felt across northern India, western Nepal and southern China, brought down houses on thousands of people as they slept.
The first tremor, measuring 6.8 on the Richter scale, came at 12.35am yesterday morning.
Officials expect the number of casualties to rise because the tremors devastated houses in Chamoli, a semi-urban area of 50,000 people, and the neighbouring district of Rudraprayag. Both were close to the epicentre in the Garhwa hills.
Police said rescue efforts were hampered by a series of post-quake landslides in the region, which is dotted with the villages of subsistence hill-farmers.
The earthquake appeared to be the strongest in the Himalayan foothills in 94 years. In April 1905, an earthquake measuring 7.2 on the Richter scale killed thousands in neighbouring Himachal Pradesh state. In 1991, at least 1,600 people died when the area was hit by a quake measuring 6.6 on the scale.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments