2009 Bhutan earthquake
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The 2009 Bhutan earthquake occurred on 21 September at 14:53 BTT (08:53 UTC) in the eastern region of Bhutan with moment magnitude of 6.1. The epicenter was situated at 180 kilometres (110 mi) east of the capital Thimphu, in Monggar District.[4] However, Bangladesh and northern India also felt it, with residents in Guwahati, Assam reporting cracks in buildings.[5] The tremors were felt as far as Tibet.[6]
At least eleven people are reported to have been killed—seven in Bhutan, four in India.[2] The death toll, initially ten, increased when one more died in the night.[7][8][9][10] At least fifteen were wounded.[2] Many of the deaths in Bhutan came about when their houses fell in on top of them.[2] The Indians were construction workers whose road fell through.[2] At least 5,167 homes and buildings were damaged or destroyed.[3]
One businessman said the earthquake happened as shopping was underway for the Blessed Rainy Day ceremony of Buddhism.[5] Another inhabitant said it "made the surrounding hills look like they were throwing up dust" and that "the road was suddenly filled with boulders and mud".[2] Thousands are living outdoors as a result.[5] Children were crushed under structures as they caved in.[5] Roads were blocked but these were cleaned up relatively quickly.[5] Monasteries were also struck.[10] People ran for their lives out of their homes.[10]
There were at least seven aftershocks.[2]
An earthquake measuring 5.7 on the Richter scale was heard in Myanmar and the northeast Indian states of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland and Manipur and the following day.[1]
Prime Minister of Bhutan Jigme Thinley said the earthquake was "one of the biggest disasters in recent times".[5] He also said the length of the earthquake (95 seconds) was "very long".[5] He and his home minister embarked on a visit to the region.[5]
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