Nepal - Earthquakes - UPDATE

Wed, 13 May 2015 04:43:00 +02:00

A 7.3 M earthquake (depth: 15 km) hit the Central Region of Nepal on 12 May at 7.05 UTC, already affected by the 7.8 M earthquake of 25 April. The epicenter of the 12 May earthquake was located in Dolakha district, approx. 76 km east-northeast of Kathmandu and 85 km west-southwest of Mt. Everest, while the 7.8 M earthquake of 25 April was approx. 77 km north-west of Kathmandu. Several aftershocks followed the 7.3 M earthquake, including one of magnitude 5.6 M at 7.17 UTC and one of 6.3 M at 7.36 UTC on 12 May.
According to first assessments at least 66 people were killed and over a thousand injured with numbers expected to rise in Nepal, the Tibet Autonomous Region of China and China. Major tremors were felt across large swathes of Northern and Eastern India, including the metropolitan areas of Kolkota and New Delhi. At least 16 people were killed in Bihar (15) and Uttar Pradesh (1) states, according to media.
In Nepal, several areas were affected by the new earthquake, including Sindhupalchowk, the district most affected by the 25 April earthquake. As of 12 May, media reported more than 65 people killed (at least 20 in the town of Charikot, Sindhupalchowk), more than 1 000 injured and many houses damaged or destroyed. A further increase of these figures is still expected. National search and rescue (SAR) teams have been deployed. In the meantime, the latest figures of the Nepalese Government of the 25 April earthquake (as of 12 May) showed at least 8 151 people killed (3 213 in Sindhupalchowk, 1 203 in Kathmandu), nearly 18 000 injured and 300 000 houses reported destroyed.
The EUCPT continues to support the main OSOCC in Kathmandu and the humanitarian hubs in Gorkha and Chautara. As of 12 May the total death toll stands at 8151 whereas 17 866 people were injured.
Over the next 24 h, thunderstorms may still locally affect some areas of Nepal and light snowfall may affect some mountainous areas of the country.