At least nine people
have been killed and almost 200 injured after an earthquake measuring 6.8
magnitude in eastern India, Sky News reports.
The quake struck 29km
(18 miles) west of the northeastern city of Imphal at 4.35am (11.05pm UK time),
according to the US Geological Survey.
Six people have died in
the city, which is the capital of Manipur state, as walls, staircases and roofs
in some buildings collapsed. Another 100 have been injured, 33 seriously.
The rescue operation is
being hampered by severed power supplies and telecommunication links across the
city, which is home to 270,000 people.
"It was like being
tossed around in a frying pan," said Joy Thanglian, a 33-year-old employee
of state energy firm Bharat Petroleum. "Then we ran outside."
Imphal resident Deepak
Shijagurumayum added: "Almost everyone was asleep when it struck and were
thrown out of their beds.
"People were
crying and praying in the streets and in open spaces. Hundreds remained
outdoors for several hours fearing aftershocks."
Similar scenes were
reported in the northeast city of Guwahati.
The quake was felt as
far away as the Myanmar city of Yangon, 1,176km (730 miles) to the south and
was 57km (35 miles) deep, according to the US Geological Survey said.
Three people are reported
to have died from heart attacks in Bangladesh, where another 90 people are said
to be injured.
Tremors were also felt
in Nepal.
India's Prime Minister,
Narendra Modi, wrote on Twitter that he is in touch with authorities in the
affected area - though some have criticised the government's response.
"We haven't seen
any help from the government side," said disaster volunteer worker
Kanarjit Kangujam. "The government has not given us any information."
He added that the quake
was the biggest that has been felt in Imphal.
Sign up here with your email
ConversionConversion EmoticonEmoticon