At least 132 people were killed and dozens injured in the powerful earthquake that struck the Jajarkot district of western Nepal late last night, where several buildings collapsed.

The National Seismological Center of Nepal announced that the earthquake had a magnitude of 6.4. The Euro-Mediterranean Seismological Center (EMSC) and the US Geological Survey (USGS) estimated that the tremor had a magnitude of 5.6. According to the USGS, the focal depth of the earthquake was 18 kilometers.

Regional officials said communication had been lost with the quake-hit region, where about 190,000 residents are scattered in mountain communities. Landslides that occurred in the provincial network make it difficult for rescue crews to access the earthquake-affected areas.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal expressed his deep sorrow at the loss of life and the destruction, while ordering the relevant agencies to immediately mobilize rescue and humanitarian aid teams.

The earthquake was felt as far away as New Delhi, about 600 kilometers from the epicenter. Videos on social media show residents of the Indian capital pouring into the streets in fear.

In 2015, a 7.8-magnitude earthquake leveled towns and villages in Nepal, killing nearly 9,000 people.