An earthquake of 6.4 magnitude jolted Nepal late on Friday, killing at least 140 people. The earthquake — originated in the country’s Jajarkot district — was recorded at 11:47 pm, said the National Earthquake Monitoring and Research Centre.

Nepalese prime minister Pushpakamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ headed towards the incident site with a medical team early on Saturday.

The Prime Minister’s Office posted on X about the incident and said, “Honorable Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal “Prachanda” has expressed his deep sorrow over the human and material damage caused by the earthquake at Ramidanda in Jajarkot at 11:47 on Friday night and has mobilized all 3 security agencies for the immediate rescue and relief of the injured.”

India has given an emergency contact number — +977-9851316807 — for providing assistance to the Indian nationals in Nepal, in view of the recent earthquake that hit the Himalayan country.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his condolences over the lost lives and the damage caused in Nepal by the massive quake, adding that India stands in solidarity with Nepal. He took to the microblogging site X and wrote, “Deeply saddened by loss of lives and damage due to the earthquake in Nepal. India stands in solidarity with the people of Nepal and is ready to extend all possible assistance. Our thoughts are with the bereaved families and we wish the injured a quick recovery.”

The worse hit districts were that of western Nepal – Jajarkot and Rukum — said a state-run Nepal Television.

Several buildings and structures are in rubble in the aftermath of the massive earthquake. As the roads were blocked and bridges damaged, rescue and relief works on the incident site have been obstructed, according to officials.

According to the National Earthquake Monitoring and Research Centre, the earthquake with an epicentre in Jajarkot district was recorded at 11:47 pm.

The impact of the quake felt in some states of neighbouring India. The national capital, New Delhi, also felt strong tremors late on Friday.

The tremors from the quake hit the far western side of the Himalayan country at a depth of just 18 kilometres (11 miles), said the US Geological Survey.

Nepal lies on a major geological faultline wherein the Indian tectonic plate pushes up into the Eurasian plate. This led to the formation of Himalayas ages ago. It must also be noted that earthquakes are a regular occurrence in this Himalayan nation.