There were 69 fatalities in Nepal from a 5.6-magnitude earthquake, and authorities predict that number to rise

A powerful earthquake struck northwest Nepali districts just before midnight on Friday. Rescuers combed through mountain villages, reporting at least 69 fatalities and numerous injuries.

Early on Saturday, officials stated that more casualties were anticipated and that numerous locations had lost contact.

The Indian capital, New Delhi, was more than 500 miles away when the earthquake struck, striking many people who had already fallen asleep in their homes.

The earthquake happened at a depth of eleven miles and had a preliminary magnitude of 5.6, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The epicenter of the earthquake was found at Jajarkot, roughly 250 miles northeast of Kathmandu, according to the National Earthquake Monitoring & Research Center of Nepal.

At least 35 people were killed in the earthquake in Rukum district, where many houses collapsed, according to police official Narvaraj Bhattarai, who spoke on the phone. According to Bhattarai, thirty injured individuals have already been transported to the nearby hospital.

34 persons were confirmed dead in the nearby Jajarkot district, according to government administration official Harish Chandra Sharma.