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At least 132 people were killed in an overnight earthquake that struck a remote pocket of Nepal, officials said on Saturday, as security forces rushed to assist with rescue efforts.<\/p>\n
The 5.6-magnitude quake hit the far west of the Himalayan country late Friday and was measured by the US Geological Survey at just 18 kilometres (11 miles) deep.<\/p>\n
Videos and photos posted on social media showed locals digging through rubble in the dark to pull survivors from the wreckage of collapsed homes and buildings.<\/p>\n
Mud houses were flattened or damaged as survivors crouched outside for safety, the sirens of emergency vehicles wailing.<\/p>\n
The quake was felt as far away as India\u2019s capital New Delhi, nearly 500km from the epicentre, 42km south of Jumla.<\/p>\n
\u201cNinety-two people died in Jajarkot and 40 in Rukum,\u201d home ministry spokesman Narayan Prasad Bhattarai told AFP<\/em>, referring to the two districts hit worst by the quake.<\/p>\n National police spokesman Kuber Kathayat said that authorities had tallied more than 100 others injured across both districts.<\/p>\n Security forces have been deployed to assist with search and rescue operations, Karnali Province police spokesman Gopal Chandra Bhattarai told AFP<\/em>.<\/p>\n \u201cThe remoteness of the districts makes it difficult for information to get through,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n \u201cSome roads had been blocked by damage, but we are trying to reach the area through alternate routes.\u201d The district hospital was packed with residents bringing in injured victims.<\/p>\n Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar said, \u201cPakistan stands with Nepal during this difficult time and is ready to extend whatever assistance is required.<\/p>\n \u201cOur thoughts and prayers are with those affected by last night\u2019s earthquake in Nepal that has resulted in loss of precious lives and property,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jilani said, \u201cDeeply saddened by the tragic loss of lives and devastation caused by earthquake in Nepal.<\/p>\n \u201cWe stand in solidarity with the people of Nepal at this tragic time. Our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by this calamity. Pakistan [stands] ready to extend all possible support.\u201d<\/p>\n Nepalese Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal arrived at the site of the quake on Saturday after expressing \u201chis deep sorrow over the human and physical damage caused by the earthquake\u201d.<\/p>\n In neighbouring India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was \u201cdeeply saddened\u201d by the loss of lives.<\/p>\n \u201cIndia stands in solidarity with the people of Nepal and is ready to extend all possible assistance,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n Nepal lies on a major geological faultline where the Indian tectonic plate pushes up into the Eurasian plate, forming the Himalayas, and earthquakes are a regular occurrence.<\/p>\n\u2018Human and physical damages\u2019<\/h2>\n