Rajya Sabha pays condolences to Nepal quake victims

New Delhi, May 13: The Rajya Sabha on Wednesday paid condolences to those who died in the fresh earthquake in Nepal and parts of India on May 12.

"More than 60 people lost their lives and more than 1,000 were injured when a massive earthquake with magnitude 7.3 on Richter scale hit Nepal for a second time in less than a month causing devastation and destruction," Chairman M. Hamid Ansari said on Wednesday. [Nepal: 65 dead in 2nd quake, toll crosses 8,200]

The chairman added that at least 60 people were also killed in parts of northern and eastern India, and 38 were injured besides damage to property and houses.

The chairman paid condolences to those who lost their lives, and expressed solidarity with the people of Nepal.

"People of India stand in solidarity with the friendly government and people of Nepal in their hour of grief," he said.

The house then observed brief silence as a mark of respect.

A massive earthquake measuring 7.3 on Richter scale and at least 14 aftershocks shook Nepal on Tuesday causing panic in the Himalayan nation which is still recovering from the devastating April 25 temblor.

IANS