UPDATE 2 - Death toll in Nepal earthquake rises to 157

UPDATES DEATH TOLL; AID ANNOUNCMENT BY CHINA

By Anadolu staff

ANKARA (AA) – The death toll from an earthquake that hit Nepal late Friday night has risen to 157, with nearly 200 people injured, local police said Saturday.

The magnitude 6.4 earthquake hit western Nepal, sending tremors to even neighboring countries.

Nepal police spokesman Kuber Kadayat told Anadolu that as on Saturday evening, the death toll stood at 157 and 199 people were injured.

He said rescue operations are continuing in affected areas.

Strong tremors were felt in parts of northern India after the quake.

Nepal's Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal expressed deep sorrow about the “human and material damage” caused by the quake. His office wrote on X that Dahal mobilized all three security agencies for the immediate rescue and relief of the injured.

India’s National Center for Seismology said an earthquake of magnitude 6.4 occurred at 11.32 p.m. local time (1802GMT) at a depth of 10 kilometers (6 miles) with an epicenter in Nepal.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was “deeply saddened” by loss of life and damage due to the earthquake in Nepal.

“India stands in solidarity with the people of Nepal and is ready to extend all possible assistance,” he wrote on X.

UNICEF said the children’s agency and its partners are “assessing damages and the toll of the disaster on children and families, as we prepare to provide support during this challenging time.”

Chen Song, China's ambassador to Nepal, wrote on X that China will initially provide relief materials worth 100 million Nepalese rupees ($757,300) to the earthquake-stricken area.

“All this material will arrive in couple of days. More aid is on the way,” he added.

Nepal, a nation of some 30 million people, has witnessed deadly earthquakes in the past. In 2015, a devastating earthquake killed around 9,000 people and injured thousands.