6 killed, 36 injured in Bihar: Schools close for summer

Six persons were killed and 36 others injured in incidents of wall and roof collapse in Bihar which was rattled by two high intensity quakes and five moderate ones today, over a fortnight after the April 25 temblor that claimed 58 lives in the state.
Chief Minister Nitish Kumar told newsmen "We have information regarding death of 15 persons in incidents related to earthquake today. There is confirmation of six deaths and for rest the confirmation process is on."
He held a meeting with officials shortly after seven quakes, first of 7.3 intensity, second one 6.2 and rest five of moderate magnitude, rocked Bihar during the day.

Two deaths have been reported from Darbhanga while one each have been confirmed from Patna, Siwan, East Champaran and Samastipur.
Kumar ordered closure of all schools in Bihar for summer vacation from tomorrow itself.
"The summer vacation is scheduled to start in schools in the next 2-3 days so I have ordered to advance it and declare summer vacation from tomorrow itself in view of earthquake fear and possibility of more aftershocks," Kumar said.

He also issued orders to open all parks and public places in cities for people if they wished to spend time there for fear of earthquakes.

Kumar said he has also ordered officials to make proper arrangements of water, electricity and security in these open places, particularly at night.
He ordered field officers to visit every village to assess the details of casualty due to successive tremors today and provide assistance to people immediately.
Kumar said since Bihar was sensitive from the earthquake point of view as major parts of it fall in seismic zone 4 and 5. "An environment of fear is gripping people after today's powerful aftershocks," he said.
He appealed to people not to panic and face the situation with courage.
The chief minister urged people, particularly those living in high rise buildings to carefully examine them to check whether any crack had appeared after the earthquake and inform administration so that engineers could assess the damage and do the needful.

There was information regarding cracks appearing in the residence of Magadh Commissioner at Gaya and necessary steps were taken there, he added.