Earthquake kills five people in northeast India

An earthquake measuring 6.7 magnitude has killed at least five people in northeast India, according to international reports.

The earthquake hit the country near its borders with Myanmar and Bangladesh,at 04:35 local time, with its epicentre about 29km northwest of Imphal, the capital of Manipur state, according to the US Geological Survey (USGS).

The BBC reports that tremors, which were felt throughout the state, cracked walls and caused a newly-built six-storey building in Imphal to collapse.

So far, at least five people have been confirmed dead as a result of the earthquake in Manipur but over 30 people were injured according to the Press Trust of India news agency reported.

The AFP quoted Deepak Shijagurumayum, a resident of Imphal, who spoke about the way his house was severely damaged by the quake.

"Almost everyone was asleep when it struck and were thrown out of their beds," Shijagurumayum said.

"People were crying and praying in the streets and in open spaces. Hundreds remained outdoors for several hours fearing aftershocks."

The AFP added that shaking was also felt as far away as Kolkata (formerly Calcutta), 600km away.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted that he had spoken to the region's chief ministers and federal Home Minister Rajnath Singh "on the situation arising in the wake of the earthquake".

The BBC adds that the region has a history of powerful earthquakes caused by the northward collision of the Indian and Eurasian plates, which are moving towards each other at a rate of 4-5cm per year. Notably, a magnitude 7.6 quake in Pakistan in 2005 has left over 75,000 people dead and in April 2015, Nepal suffered its worst earthquake in history with some 9,000 people losing their lives, and about 900,000 homes destroyed or damaged.