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India-Nepal earthquake death toll rises to 83

A Nepalese resident clears his home from debris following the earthquake
A Nepalese resident clears his home from debris following the earthquake

The death toll from a 6.9-magnitude earthquake that hit the India-Nepal border has risen to 83, with much of the worst-affected area cut off by landslides.

At least 50 people were killed in India's northeastern state of Sikkim in Sunday's quake, Home Secretary RK Singh told a press briefing in New Delhi, while building collapses and landslides claimed another 18 lives in adjoining Indian states.

Police said eight people were killed in Nepal, and China's official Xinhua news agency reported seven dead in southern Tibet.

Tremors were felt more than 1,000km away in New Delhi to the west, and in Bangladesh to the east.

Rescue teams heading to the mountainous area faced a difficult task with cracked roads blocked by falling rocks and mud.