Hundreds Feared Dead In Nepal Earthquake
A magnitude 7.9 earthquake in Nepal has caused extensive damage in the capital Kathmandu, bringing down buildings and walls.
At least 50 people are trapped under the rubble of the city’s iconic nine-storey Dharahara tower, which was brought down in the quake.
Police have removed several bodies from the 19th Century tourist site, also known as the Bhimsen Tower.
Several bodies have been removed from the landmark Dharahara tower
Elsewhere at least two people are confirmed to have died, with more fatalities feared.
A 15-year-girl was killed in a building collapse in India near the Nepal border, while another child died when a statue fell in a park outside Kathmandu.
The quake is also understood to have triggered avalanches on Mount Everest.
Mountaineer Alex Gavan tweeted from Mount Pumori, about 8 km (5 miles) west of Mount Everest: “Everest base camp huge earthquake then huge avalanche from pumori. Running for life from my tent. Unhurt. Many many people up the mountain.”
The quake struck 80km (50 miles) east of the central city of Pokhara, close to the capital, the US Geological Survey said.
Dozens of people with injuries have been brought to Kathmandu’s main hospital, with many forced to wait outside on the street for treatment.
A number of centuries-old temples have been destroyed and there are unconfirmed reports that the densely-populated city’s main airport has closed, according to Sky News’ India producer Neville Lazarus.
Nepal’s Information Minister Minendra Rijal has told India’s NDTV station that rescue teams are at the scene.
‘Surreal’ Moment At Everest Base
Residents have been warned to stay outdoors, with more aftershocks feared.
“It was a pretty massive earthquake here, the strongest I’ve ever felt in my life,” photojournalist Nayantara, who is in Pokhara, told Sky News.
“We’ve all gathered on a tennis court which is the only open space available to us close by,” she said.
“There is quite a lot of damage. The building I was in has quite a lot of cracks in it. There was a construction site right next to us and several of the new ways have fallen and there was an injury.”
Another witness tweeted: “LOTS of shaking. Hid under table, then ran outside. Still feel like swaying. Cables/walls down.”
“Lots of panic, people wandering in the streets,” @jonk said, adding that people were gathering in the middle of an intersection to avoid falling debris.
According to Sky’s Neville Lazarus tremors could be felt in India’s capital New Dehli and other northern cities.
“For about three to four minutes buildings in Dehli experienced tremors and residents rushed out of their buildings,” he said.
“Everything was shaking.”
India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi has tweeted: “We are in the process of finding more information and are working to reach out to those affected, both at home & in Nepal.”
Strong tremors were also felt as far away as Pakistan and Bangladesh.
Courtesy of Sky News
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