Death toll from Nepal earthquake passes 1,000: police
April 25, 2015
The death toll from the massive earthquake that devastated parts of Nepal has passed 1,000, according to police.
"The death toll has reached 1,170," Nepal police spokesman Kamal Singh Bam told AFP.
"Rescue efforts are underway," he added.
A landmark nine-storey tower collapsed in Kathmandu after the massive earthquake hit the Nepalese capital, with several bodies seen at the site of the disaster, witnesses and television footage showed.
Around a dozen bodies were taken away from the ruins of the Dharhara tower in the centre of the capital which sustained massive damage when the 7.9 magnitude quake struck at lunchtime, according to an AFP photographer at the scene
At the main hospital in Kathmandu, people with broken limbs and arms were being rushed in for treatment. It was unclear how many people have been injured.
Images posted on social media showed massive cracks in roads and buildings collapsed in Kathmandu.
Images of Nepal earthquake posted on Twitter
Posted by Geo News English on Saturday, April 25, 2015
Climbers caught in earthquake on Everest
Climbers on Mount Everest were caught in a deadly earthquake that struck Nepal on Saturday, an AFP reporter at the mountain said, with reports of a major avalanche hitting the world´s highest peak.
AFP Nepal bureau chief Ammu Kannampilly said she was caught in the earthquake that ripped though large parts of the country.
"We got caught in an earthquake on Everest. We are both ok...snowing here so no choppers coming," an AFP reporter said in an SMS on approach to base camp while on assignment.
Two experienced mountaineers reported that panic erupted at base camp which was full of climbing teams and had been "severely damaged", while one said the quake triggered a "huge avalanche".
"Running for life from my tent. Unhurt. Many many people up the mountain," tweeted Romanian climber Alex Gavan who had been preparing to climb up nearby Lhotse, the world´s fourth highest mountain.
Another climber Daniel Mazur said his team was trapped at camp one higher up the mountain in the wake of the earthquake.
"A Massive earthquake just hit Everest. Basecamp has been severely damaged. Our team is caught in camp 1. Please pray for everyone," he also tweeted.
Everest was hit by an avalanche last year that killed 16 guides and triggered an unprecedented shut-down of the mountain.
Some 700 climbers are in Solukhumbhu district that includes Everest, with 300 thought to be at base camp itself, deputy superintendent of police Chandra Dev Rai said.
"We are trying to reach them to see if they are safe, but the phones are not working," he told AFP from Solukhumbhu town through which climbers pass en route to the mountain.
Pakistan offers assistance
Pakistan has expressed solidarity and offered to provide all possible assistance in the earthquake affected areas of Nepal and India. According to a Foreign Office statement, Pakistan’s ambassadors have been directed to contact governments of both countries.
The Foreign Office added that NDMA was ready to provide assistance on a short notice.
Tremors felt in South Asia
In Pakistan tremors were felt in several cities including Peshawar, Islamabad and Lahore.
Tremors were felt in Indian cities including Jaipur, Patna and New Delhi.
The tremors were also felt in Bangladesh where Pakistani cricketers touring the country left their hotel rooms in panic.
This is a developing story and will be updated
