Death toll in India rises to 17 following May 12 quake in Nepal

The death toll in Tuesday's strong earthquake, which hit Nepal and sent strong tremors in India, has risen to 17 on the Indian side, a senior official said Wednesday.

"The death toll in India has increased to 17, with five more succumbing to their injuries," he said, on condition of anonymity.

Though the quake was felt in areas from the Indian capital to the southern city of Chennai, all the deaths, barring one, were reported from the eastern state of Bihar which shares its border with Nepal.

"Out of 17, 16 people were killed in Bihar. The other death happened in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh. Several injured people have been recovering in hospitals," the official said.

The high-intensity earthquake, measuring 7.5 on the Richter scale, hit Nepal, already grappling with humanitarian crisis in the wake of the first spell of earthquakes last month.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has reviewed the situation in the aftermath of the fresh quake and directed the authorities to be ready to rush relief and carry out rescue operations if needed.

"PM took stock of the situation following the fresh major earthquake felt in Nepal and parts of India, at a high-level meeting," the Prime Minister's Office said. Endi