Tuesday 16 April 2013

Major earthquake rocks North India


New Delhi: A major earthquake that originated on the Iran-Pakistan border jolted North India on Tuesday afternoon, sending people running out of their homes for safety.

Iran's Press TV reported at least 40 deaths due to the quake, while unnamed officials said the country was expecting hundreds of dead.

A government officials told a news agency that "it was the biggest earthquake in 40 years and we are expecting hundreds of dead".

As per the US Geological Survey, the quake measuring 7.8 on the Richter scale had its epicentre on the Iran-Pakistan border at a depth of 15.2 kilometres. It was located 86 kilometres east-southeast of the Iranian city of Khash.

An aftershock of 6.3-magnitude also hit the region, the Indian Metrological Department said.

The quake was felt in Iran, Pakistan and a major part of West Asia.

The quake was also felt widely in North India, including Delhi-NCR, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Haryana and Jammu and Kashmir.

Reports said tall buildings swayed in Delhi.

The tremor, which struck around 4.20 pm, lasted for several seconds.

So far, no damage to life and property has been reported in India.

At least 37 people were killed and 850 wounded when a 6.3 magnitude earthquake hit south-west Iran on April 10.

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