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Over 600 feared dead in Nepal's massive earthquake

NEW DELHI, April 25 (KUNA) -- Media reported on Saturday that the powerful earthquake that hit Nepal and parts of India and Bangladesh before noon today have claimed more than 600 lives in Nepal alone.
Reports also emerged from India that the death toll has gone up in various quake hit states as the Bihar state along reported 14 casualties. The state of Utter Predesh reported 8 deaths while the West Bengal state lost one life and some 66 people sustained serious injuries.
The powerful quake measuring 7.9 on Richter scale left huge destruction across the capital of Nepal Kathmandu and many other parts of the Himalayan country.
The quake also damaged the historical Dharhara tower, a UNESCO listed World Heritage site and scores of people are feared trapped inside the monument. The epicenter of the earthquake was Lamjung some 80 kilometers northwest of Kathmandu.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi held telephonic conversations with his Nepalese counterpart Sushil Koirala as well as with various chief ministers and ordered the Indian air force to put on high alert for rescue operation. Modi said that India is taking all necessary steps to launch rescue operations both within India and neighboring Nepal.
Tremors were also felt in neighboring countries of China, Pakistan and Bangladesh though no casualties were reported from these countries so far.
India's PTI office in Kathmandu quoted Nepal's home ministry official that tens of people were killed in Kathmandu Valley only and the total number of killed in the massive quake is put above 600.
Meanwhile, the Nepal cabinet has summoned an emergency meeting to seek foreign support. (end) atk.ibi