New Delhi, Sep 21 (IANS) Around 400 foreigners are stranded in north Sikkim, the worst affected region after the 6.8 magnitude earthquake three days ago, a home ministry statement said Wednesday.


The foreigners, who most probably are tourists, have been stranded since the quake jolted Sikkim.

According to the latest update of the home ministry, at least 57 people have been killed in Sikkim alone as a result of the quake. Reports from the ground, however, say the number could be much higher.

"This (death toll) may increase further as rescue and release teams reach further into interior areas," the statement said.

A total of 700 houses have collapsed as a result of the quake. Rain and landslides have further added to the difficulty in the relief work for which 5,500 army personnel have been deployed.

Food packets have also been dropped in the affected areas in north Sikkim.

The quake also jolted Nepal, Tibet and Bangladesh.