At least six people died following an earthquake that struck west Nepal in the wee hours of Wednesday. Five others were injured in the incident.

According to the National Seismological Centre, the earthquake of magnitude 6.6 on Richter scale occurred at 2:12 am with its epicentre at Khaptad National Park.

Deputy Superintendent of Police Bhola Bhatta, the acting chief at the District Police Office in Doti, informed that an 8-year-old boy, a 13-year-old girl, two 14-year-old girls, a 40-year-old woman and a 50-year-old man, all residents of Gaira Gaun in Purichauki Rural Municipality, were among the deceased.

Bhatta informed that all the victims were crushed dead by the debris of the house damaged during the earthquake.

The earthquake that was felt mildly in Kathmandu and parts of India has also caused damage to dozens of other houses in the district.

According to Bhatta, the five injured people have been taken to a local hospital for treatment.