Deadly 6.9 quake strikes northern India

At least 30 people in Nepal and India are dead after a deadly quake struck near India's northern border with Nepal. Three of the dead were killed when a wall at the British embassy in Kathmandu, Nepal collapsed. 

NEW DELHI, INDIA (Catholic Online) - The quake, a magnitude 6.9 occurred in the northern Indian state of Sikkim. 

The victims in the British Embassy collapse included an 8 year old girl. 

At least 98 people are reported injured in India, although the number is expected to be much higher. 

Approximately 300 civilians and 22 tourists had to be rescued from areas near the border with Tibet. Landslides also occurred throughout the region, blocking access for many. Rescue efforts are being hampered by the landslides and the threat of more landslides as aftershocks occur. 
Officials in other areas are reporting casualties, including fatalities, but the precise numbers have not yet been disclosed. 

Despite the severity of the earthquake, officials are saying that the restoration of communications and rescue efforts have proceeded swiftly, perhaps faster than any time before. This is thanks in part to improved coordination, less structural damage because of improved construction, and better communications. Officials noted that cellular service has already been restored in most areas. 

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), which monitors quake activity around the world, initially reported the quake to be a 6.8, but later upgraded it to 6.9 as they reviewed their data. They also reported two strong aftershocks at 4.8 and 4.6 respectively. Indian officials are reporting the aftershocks as 5.7 and 5.3, which is a very substantial difference. 

Quake survivors report that the shaking went on for a long time, some saying that it lasted as much as two minutes. 

The quake did not trigger any tsunami warnings or unusual activity at sea. The USGS said the quake was 12.2 miles below the surface and centered 169 miles east of Kathmandu.

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