Bihar: Earthquake toll mounts to 42, 156 people injured

Patna, April 26: Death toll in the quake that rocked Bihar and the house collapse-related incidents during the temblor have left 42 people dead and 156 others injured.

DMD Joint Secretary Sunil Kumar told PTI that the highest number of eight casualties have been reported from East Champaran district, followed by six each in Sitamarhi and Darbhanga and three each in Siwan, Lakhisarai and Araria districts.

There have been two deaths each in Supaul, Saharsa, Sheohar, Saran and Madhubani districts even as Katihar, West Champaran and Gaya districts recorded one casualty each, Kumar said.

As many as 156 persons have been injured in quake-related incidents with Darbhanga leading at 49, followed by West Champaran (21), Sitamarhi (18), Munger (13) and Madhubani (12), the DMD Joint Secretary said. [Earthquake: Fresh tremor felt in Delhi, Bihar, West Bengal; panic grips all]

The injured were also reported from other districts like East Champaran (9), Saharsa (7), Nalanda (6), Vaishali (5), Bhojpur (4), Katihar (3), Araria (2), Kishanganj (2), Saran (2), Patna (1), Sheohar (1) and Gaya (1), he said. [Quake: 30 dead, 81 injured in Bihar]

The next of kin of the victims have been paid compensation of Rs four lakh each, while the injured persons were given free medical treatment in different hospitals, Kumar said.

A survey was on to assess the damages to houses and related properties in the powerful earthquake in order to provide compensation to all the affected people, the official said.

PTI