Eleven Dead As Quake Rocks Eastern India

At least eleven people have been killed and almost 200 injured after an earthquake measuring 6.8 magnitude in eastern India.

The quake struck 29km (18 miles) west of the northeastern city of Imphal at 4.35am (11.05pm UK time), according to the US Geological Survey.

The pre-dawn quake killed six people in Imphal and five in neighbouring country Bangladesh, officials said.

The rescue operation in Imphal is being hampered by severed power supplies and telecommunication links across the city, which is home to 270,000 people.

"It was like being tossed around in a frying pan," said Joy Thanglian, a 33-year-old employee of state energy firm Bharat Petroleum. "Then we ran outside."

Imphal resident Deepak Shijagurumayum added: "Almost everyone was asleep when it struck and were thrown out of their beds.

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

There were similar scenes in the northeast city of Guwahati.

The quake was felt as far away as the Myanmar city of Yangon, 1,176km (730 miles) to the south.

As well as five deaths from heart attacks, another 90 people have been injured in Bangladesh.

Tremors were also felt in Nepal.

India's Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, wrote on Twitter that he is in touch with authorities in the affected area - though some have criticised the government's response.

"We haven't seen any help from the government side," said disaster volunteer worker Kanarjit Kangujam. "The government has not given us any information."

He added that the quake was the biggest that has been felt in Imphal.

The quake was 57km (35 miles) deep, the US Geological Survey said.