Big earthquake in Sikkim, tremors across India; 18 dead, over 100 injured

At least 18 people have died, including a five year old girl, in a 6.8 magnitude earthquake that hit the east India state of Sikkim and neighboring Nepal on Sunday.  The quake reportedly rocked the area at 18:10 local time.  It was the biggest earthquake recorded in northeastern India in 20 years and the fourth mid-sized quake this year, according to NDTV in India.

“Cracks have developed in some buildings in Gangtok. Most phone lines are down and there is no electricity now. People have come out on the street,” Sikkim resident Bobby Dahal told The Times of India.  Gangtok is Sikkim’s capital city.

“It is too early to ascertain any damage. We are trying to get in touch with the state government of Sikkim to know if they need any help from us,” Sujata Saunail, joint secretary of the National Disaster Management Authority, told Reuters.

The quake comes just days after an earthquake of 4.2 magnitude hit the region, sending tremors in New Delhi. ‘)}