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Death toll in Nepal’s earthquake on May 12 nears 100 people

"According to the latest data, 96 people died, and 2,563 people were injured," Nepal police spokesman said

© EPA/HEMANTA SHRESTHA

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Two aftershocks strike Nepal following magnitude 7.1 earthquake

NEW DELHI, May 14. /TASS/. The death toll in magnitude 7.3 earthquake that struck Nepal on May 12 has reached 96 people, Nepal police spokesman Kamal Singh Ban told TASS on Thursday.

"According to the latest data, 96 people died, and 2,563 people were injured," he said.

"Many people currently remain in open spaces. However, some persons started returning to their houses that were checked by specialists for damage," the police spokesman noted.

Indian Meteorological Department registered a magnitude 7.3 earthquake at 12.35 local time on Tuesday. The epicenter of the earthquake lay 80 kilometers to the east of Nepal’s capital Kathmandu at the depth of 18 kilometers. US Geological Survey measured the earthquake at 7.4. Nepal’s Interior Ministry said it registered 200 aftershocks, with the strongest measuring up to 6.2.

Tremors were felt in India, and metro in New Delhi and Kolkata suspended operations. Press Trust of India news agency reported that 10 people died in the western Indian state of Bihar, where several buildings collapsed as a result of an earthquake.

This is not the first powerful earthquake that strikes the South Asian nation. On April 25, the devastating 7.9 magnitude earthquake rocked the country. Around 90 aftershocks were registered after it, with the strongest one measuring up to 6.9.

According to the latest data, the death toll of the disaster has exceeded 8,400 people, while more than 17,000 others were injured. More than 300,000 houses were destroyed in the disaster, while 254,000 more were seriously damaged.

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