At least 54 dead as strong quake rocks northwestern Nepal, and officials say toll expected to rise

By BINAJ GURUBACHARYA
Associated Press

KATHMANDU, Nepal (AP) — A strong earthquake has shaken northwestern Nepal, and officials say at least 54 people are dead and dozens more injured as rescuers search the mountainous villages. Officials said Saturday that the toll was expected to rise, saying communication was cut off with many villages. Officials say the earthquake that struck late Friday killed at least 28 people in Rukum district and 26 in neighboring Jajarkot district. The U.S. Geological Survey says the earthquake had a preliminary magnitude of 5.6 and occurred at a depth of 11 miles. Nepal’s National Earthquake Monitoring & Research Center says its epicenter was at Jajarkot, which is about 250 miles northeast of the Nepalese capital, Kathmandu.