A magnitude-6.8 earthquake struck in the state of Sikkim, India, on Sept. 18 and also affected northern West Bengal state in India as well as western Bhutan and eastern Nepal.
At press time, at least 130 people were known to have been killed throughout the region, with thousands injured and at least 15,000 left homeless. The quake destroyed buildings and roads and caused landslides. Monsoon rains were contributing to further landslides and hampering rescue efforts.