16 dead in Bihar, 1 in Uttar Pradesh as fresh earthquake strikes Nepal

NEW DELHI | PATNA: A high-intensity earthquake measuring 7.3 on the Richter scale epicentred in Nepal sent strong tremors through several eastern and northern parts of India on Tuesday, leaving 17 dead, including 16 in Bihar, and causing panic.

Union home ministry sources said Bihar’s capital Patna accounted for the largest number of four deaths, followed by Darbhanga and Saran (two each), besides Siwan, Nawada, Samastipur, Muzaffarpur, Sitamarhi, Madhepura, Motihari and Purnia recording one death each. Another death was reported from Uttar Pradesh.

The April 25 earthquake had left 58 dead in Bihar, the largest in the country.

Though the quake was felt in areas far apart from Delhi to Chennai, there were no reports of casualties or major loss of property from these places.

At least 12 students were injured in a school in Darbhanga in Bihar as children rushed out to safety from classrooms after the tremors.

In Patna, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar held a meeting with officials and ordered closure of all schools in Bihar for summer vacation from Wednesday itself. “The summer vacation is scheduled to start in schools in the next 2-3 days so I have ordered to advance it and declare summer vacation from tomorrow itself in view of earthquake fear and possibility of more aftershocks,” Kumar said.

The Delhi Secretariat as well as many government buildings in the national capital were evacuated immediately after the quake. Metro services were immediately restricted.