Strong 6.8 quake hits near India-Myanmar border: USGS

A strong 6.8 magnitude earthquake struck northeast India near the country's borders with Myanmar and Bangladesh early Monday, the US Geological Survey said.

The tremor hit at 4:35 am (2305 GMT Sunday) 33 kilometres (21 miles) west-northwest of the city of Imphal, capital of Manipur state, USGS said.

In its initial assessment, USGS said "some casualties and damage are possible and the impact should be relatively localised".

India's seven northeastern states, joined to the rest of the country by a narrow sliver of land, are located in an area of frequent seismic activity. The border region is remote and sparsely populated on the Myanmar side.