7.9 magnitude earthquake hits Nepal, tremors felt across North, East India, no reports of casualties

Kathmandu: A massive earthquake measuring 7.9 magnitude struck 80 km (50 miles) east of Pokhara in Nepal on Saturday, causing some buildings in the capital Kathmandu to collapse, witnesses said. United States Geological Survey (USGS) not only upgraded the earthquake to 7.9 magnitude but also only 2 km deep. There was no immediate word on casualties.

A Reuters reporter in Kathmandu said he had seen some buildings collapse and walls of several houses reduced to rubble.

"Everyone is out in the streets, people are rushing to the hospital," the reporter said.

Tremors were felt as far away as New Delhi and other northern cities in India.

A police officer in the control room of neighbouring Indian state of Bihar said the phone lines were jammed with callers from across the heavily populated state. "We don't know about the casualties, we are flooded with calls."