6 Killed as 6.6 Magnitude Earthquake Hits Western Nepal

A powerful earthquake struck Nepal on Wednesday, killing at least six people and destroying several houses, officials said.

At least six others were injured in the magnitude 6.6 earthquake that hit the country’s western region at around 2:12 a.m (2012 GMT).

According to Kalpana Shrestha, administrator of the affected Doti district.

“Around a dozen homes were destroyed. We have also received reports of damages from other parts of the district,’’ Shrestha said.

Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba took to Twitter to express his condolences and said authorities had been instructed to carry out search and rescue, and relief works.

In 2015, nearly 9,000 people were killed when a 7.8-magnitude earthquake rocked Nepal.