Strong Earthquake in Sikkim / Nepal; 18 Dead & Over 100 Injured

A strong & massive earthquake hit Sikkim on Sunday (18th Sep) evening at 6.10 pm. Mangan, 54 km from Gangtok, was the epicentre of that quake. The quake was not only hit only Sikkim but also felt in Delhi, West Bengal, Bihar, Orissa, North East and Nepal.

18 people lost their lives and over 100 injured in earthquake. The death toll is at 18 which includes 7 in Sikkim, 4 in West Bengal, 2 in Bihar and 5 in Nepal.

Sikkim experienced 3 aftershocks since the earthquake, occurring at magnitudes of 5.7, 5.1, and 4.6 (M_w) within 30 minutes of the main quake. Many buildings in Sikkim developed cracks, including the Sikkim Manipal University building.

Tremors were felt in Lucknow, Patna, Kolkata, New Delhi and the National Capital Region, which sent thousands of people running out of their homes.

Mobile connectivity has also been affected in the quake-hit areas.

This is the strongest quake to have rocked the country in 77 years. In 1934, an 8.4-magnitude quake had killed 7,000.

The helpline number for West Bengal is 033-22143230.

The Gangtok Police Helpline numbers were +91-3592-202022 and +91-3592-202033.