Earthquake: 6 dead in UP, CM announces relief

At least six persons were today killed and over a dozen injured as major parts of Uttar Pradesh felt tremors resulting in collapse of buildings and walls.

While three deaths were reported from Barabanki district adjoining the state capital, two were reported from Gorakhpur and one from Sant Kabir Nagar.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav has announced a financial assistance of rupees five lakh to the kin of those killed in the earthquake, Rs 50,000 to grievously injured and Rs 20,000 to those having minor injuries, an official spokesman said here.

The Chief Minister has also talked to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and apprised him of the situation in the state, the official said.
 

"The CM called the Prime Minister and apprised him with the measures being taken by the state government," the spokesman said.

The CM has asked state Chief Secretary and DGP along with the District Magistrates and Superintendents of Police to assess loss of life and property caused by the earthquake.

Meanwhile, a Mumbai-Kathmandu flight of the Jet Airways was diverted to Lucknow and emergency landing was made at the Chaudhary Charan Singh Airport here after Kathmandu Airport was closed following the earthquake this morning, officials said.

After getting information of the quake, CM Akhilesh ordered immediate closure of schools and asked top officers to take stock of the situation.

According to reports from Barabanki district, a woman and two children were killed when an under-construction wall collapsed in Basantapur village in Mohammadpur Khala area.

In Gorakhpur, two persons, including a two and a half year old child, were killed, police said.

Similarly, an eight-year-old girl Khushboo was killed when a house collapsed in Purwa village in Mehdawal area in Sant Kabir Nagar.