Death toll in Himalayan earthquake hits 70

The overall death toll in a devastating earthquake that hit northeast India, Nepal and Tibet has risen to 70, Indian TV channels reported on Monday. The epicenter of the 6.8 magnitude earthquake, which hit northeast India on Sunday at 18:10 local time (12:40 GMT), was in the Indian state of Sikkim, which borders Nepal's easternmost hilly district Taplejung. Most of the victims were registered in India, while Nepal reports nine deaths and Tibet says seven people were killed. Indian authorities say the confirmed number of people killed in the disaster stands at 42. Rescue efforts are hampered by numerous landslides that blocked many roads. India dispatched over 6,000 military personnel into the region for rescue operations.