7.9 magnitude earthquake in Nepal shakes up Bangladesh, northern India

An earthquake measuring 7.9 magnitude has struck Nepal and sent tremors to Bangladesh through northern India.

The quake, centred 50 miles (80 km) east of Nepal’s Pokhara city, left the country’s capital Kathmandu devastated on Saturday, according to the US Geological survey.

The epicentre of the quake was 29km east of Lamjung and was 2km deep, making it a shallow but a more destructive quake.

A shallow quake is usually more dangerous because the amount of energy released is focused over a small area.

The tremor also left a trail of damage in Bangladesh with several buildings developing cracks or tilted across the country, including capital Dhaka.

More than 1,000 people died in Nepal, reports Reuters quoting government officials. The death toll is feared to rise.

Of them, 18 were killed when an avalanche unleashed by the earthquake swept through the Everest Base Camp.

Three people died in three districts in Bangladesh due to the tremors following the powerful earthquake.

In Dhaka, residents of high-rise buildings were seen running down in panic as apartments started shaking.

Similar scenes were reported from high-rise buildings in India's Calcutta.

Ten buildings reportedly developed cracks or tilted at the capital Dhaka.

Similar incidents were also reported from the Gazipur, Netrokona, Chandpur and Rajshahi.

Many buildings collapsed in India's Assam and Bihar states and also in the Darjeeling hill region and foothills around it, killing at least 36 people.