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A total of 73 persons—37 in Jajarkot and 36 in Rukum West—lost their lives when an earthquake measuring 6.4 on the Richter scale struck Jajarkot district of west Nepal at 11.47 pm on Friday.  

According to the National Seismological Centre, the epicenter of the earthquake was in Ramidanda of Jajarkot.

According to Deputy Chief District Officer of Jajarkot Harish Chandra Sharma, 37 persons have been confirmed dead and have just received the details about the death of other 43 persons.

He said that security personnel have been deployed in the quake-hit areas.

“So far, 37 persons have been confirmed dead. Critically injured eight have been sent to the Karnali Provincial Hospital, Surkhet for treatment. More than 100 are being treated at the District Hospital,” Sharma said.

Similarly, 36 persons have been confirmed dead in Rukum West.

According to Chief District Officer Hari Prasad Panta of Rukum West, 36 persons have  been confirmed dead in Athbiskot and Sanibheri Rural Municipalities so far.

The details are awaited.

More than 53 persons were injured in the earthquake in two rural municipalities.

They are undergoing treatment at Mission Hospital in Chaurjahari, District Hospital in Salle, municipal hospital in Athbiskot.

Rescue team heading towards Jajarkot

Police personnel have been mobilized to rescue the people affected by the earthquake in Jajarkot and Rukum West.

Karki Province police Chief Bhim Dhakal said, “Along with the police personnel of the district, a team of 60 people have been sent from Surkhet. I am also heading towards the earthquake-hit areas from Mugu. An ambulance has also been sent to rescue the injured.”

Meanwhile, 36 persons have been confirmed dead in Jajarkot. More than 100 injured persons are being treated at the District Hospital in Jajarkot.

Among the injured, seven have been referred to the hospital out of the district.

Journalist Jagdishor Panday has been awarded with the Press Council Youth Journalism Award this year presented by the Press Council of Nepal, the supreme body for monitoring the media of Nepal. 

The award was announced by the Council with the press statement on September 21 on the occasion of its 54th anniversary. 

Council Chair Balkrishna Basnet handed the award to Panday on Friday. 

President Ram Chandra Poudel was supposed to hand over the award to Panday three weeks before with the  winners of other different award categories.

But Panday was out of the country for a United Nations Fellowship in New York, USA, from where he also did reporting of the 78th General Assembly. 

On the behalf of President Poudel, Chair Basnet handed the award and Rs. 10,000 to Panday.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has said that Nepal should present its claim clearly this time for the solution of the problems it has been facing due to climate change.

Prime Minister Dahal mentioned, "Nepal can make significant efforts on the issue of climate change. We should present ourselves in such a way to lead the world on this issue."

During the meeting on Nepal's participation in the COP28 with secretaries of foreign ministry, forest and environment ministry as well as other ministries at his official residence in Baluwatar today, the Prime Minister shared that Nepal should present its claim effectively and strongly this time.

On the occasion, the PM was briefed about preparation for the COP28 and the meeting also discussed the topic.

PM Dahal said, "We are the 'leader' of this issue. Our documents should present us as a leader. Let's present Nepal as the claimer this time."

A conference would be organized on November 21 in this regard, added PM Dahal. The government is preparing to be present in COP28 with the conclusions of the conference.

He viewed that Nepal should firmly put its view that the support coming for the climate change sector is through the government.

Sharing that foreign aid and compensation received for mitigation of effects of climate change should be challenged into the government system, the Prime Minister stressed that such issues should be put forth clearly.

Secretary of Foreign Ministry Bharat Raj Paudyal, Secretary of the Ministry of Forest and Environment and Deepak Kumar Kharal among others were present in the meeting.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) has suspended the license of two pilots.

CAAN spokesperson and Deputy Director General Jagannath Niraula said the license of Senior Captain Santosh Shah and Captain Sanjib Shrestha have been suspended as the two pilots of the Tara Air engaged in a physical fight in the premises of the airport at Manthali, Ramechhap this morning.

"The license of the two senior captains have been suspended until further notice due to the breach of the national security standard. Their license will be revoked or other action as per the law might be taken against them after detailed investigation," Niraula added.

CAAN stated that the reason behind the two pilots belonging to the same company resorting to physical fight is not known yet.