Two killed, over 20 injured in Manipur earthquake... Strong 6.8 quake hits India's Northeast region

AFP Photo /Deepak Shijagurumayum

PTI, Imphal, 04 January, 2016: At least two persons, including a girl, were killed and more than 20 others injured in Manipur in a high intensity earthquake that hit the north-east early on Monday morning.

The Seismological department here said that the quake measured 6.8 on the Richter scale and lasted for about two minutes.

The quake took place at 4.35 AM at a depth of 17 km below the ground with its epicentre at Tamenglong district of Manipur.

A girl was killed in a building collapse at Tamenglong distrtict, while another person died at Taobungkhok village in Imphal West district, police said.

Four persons were seriously injured in Tamenglong district while other casualties were reported from places like Imphal East and West district.

Many buildings collapsed in Tamenglong while several others in Imphal, including the market complex, developed cracks, sources said.

Electricity connection was cut off in the state soon after the quake and was yet to be restored.

A high-intensity earthquake early on Monday hit the northeastern region of the country, epicentre of which was in Manipur, according to the Ministry of Earth Sciences.

The quake took place at 4.35am at a depth of 17 km below the ground and the epicentre is located at Tamenglong district of Manipur.

The tremor was felt in the Northeastern and Eastern part of the country.