Strong Earthquake Hits Northeastern India

A strong earthquake hit northeastern India on Sunday near the border with Nepal and was felt over a broad area, officials said.

Regional TV station NewsLive reported that 10 to 12 buildings collapsed in Sikkim’s state capital of Gangtok.

It said several people were rushed to a hospital but gave no further details. Calls to city officials, police and hospitals were not going through.

Indian seismology official R.S. Dattatreyan said the quake struck Sunday evening and had a preliminary magnitude of 6.8. It was centered near the border with Nepal, and triggered at least two aftershocks of magnitude 6.1 and 5.3.

He said more aftershocks were possible.