Special prayers for earthquake deceased

Phuentsholing, September 22 2009: The country is observing a special prayer in the national capital Thimphu mourning the death of fellow citizen by the strong earthquake that triggered Himalayan tectonic plate on Monday afternoon.

The religious community in Thimphu is holding prayers where Prime Minister Jigme Thinley is scheduled to join. The ritual, to prevent future tragedies in the country, will be conducted by high Buddhist priests.

King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk has also been briefed about the casualties and the damage to properties due to the 6.3 magnitude tremor.

In the mean time, the death toll has reached 12 by Tuesday afternoon. Rescue teams fanned out across the country today to access the details of damages reported large scale devastation in six eastern districts – the worst hit being Mongar, Trashigang and Samdrup Jhonkhar. Various reports say, more than 100 houses and monasteries have been damaged. Several roads and schools and government offices are also damaged.

Roads have been block and access to eastern districts has become difficult. Thousands of people in the eastern districts spent the night out in the open.

Five deaths were reported from Mongar, including three women and a two-year-old child and three in Trashigang district and another four Indian workers in Samdrup Jhonkhar died after boulders fell on them while they were working on a road construction site.

About 20 people are reported to be admitted to various hospitals with minor to serious injuries.