Nearly 2,500 confirmed dead in Nepal quake
Updated: 2015-04-27 04:50
(Xinhua)
|
||||||||
Nepal authorities said Sunday that more than 2,430 people died in the country one day after a massive earthquake struck the impoverished Himalayan nation.
At least 1,152 people were killed in capital Kathmandu, and the number of injured nationwide climbed to 5,900, they said, warning that the death toll would rise further as search and rescue efforts were hampered by damaged roads, ineffective communication lines and landslides.
A lack of electricity was complicated by a scarcity of water and medical supplies were also dwindling. aid groups said.
A staggering 7.9-magnitude quake, the worst to hit the nation in over 80 years, shook central, western, mid-western and far- western parts of Nepal at midday on Saturday, leaving tens and hundreds of people injured and causing damage to properties worth over billion U.S. dollars.
In Kathmandu, thousands of people had spent the night on pavements, in parks and open fields in chilly temperatures, too afraid to return to their ramshackle homes.
Most of historic buildings in the worst-hit Kathmandu Valley were destroyed in Saturday's catastrophe while a 6.7-magnitude aftershock jolted Nepal on Sunday.
Among the buildings collapsed in the capital was the landmark nine-storey Dharahara tower, a major tourist attraction.
Police said about 150 people were believed to have been in the tower at the time of the disaster.
Hospitals in the Kathmandu Valley, which were swarming with patients,were running out of emergency supplies and space to store corpses.Some doctors were treating patients in makeshift tents.
In Mount Qomolangma's worst disaster, the bodies of 18 mountaineers were recovered from the mountain on Sunday after being caught by in the quake-triggered avalanche.
Six helicopters had managed to reach the mountain after the weather improved, reports said.
The powerful tremor, which was followed by at least 14 aftershocks, also lashed parts of India, and was felt in Bangladesh and Pakistan.
Some 61 people died from the quake in India and a few in several other countries.
Aftershocks were reported throughout the day, including the 6.7- magnitude follow-up one that struck in the afternoon.
- Topping off ceremony in Harvard
- In photos: Strong earthquake struck Nepal
- Stunts, Parkour, Action!
- City starting to close gap with world fashion capitals
- Across America over the week (from April 17 to 23)
- Honored for community work
- 5th Beijing International Film Festival closes
- Top 10 auto lookalikes in China
Most Viewed
Editor's Picks
What do we know about AIIB |
Full coverage of Boao Forum for Asia |
Annual legislative and political advisory sessions |
Spring Festival trends reflect a changing China |
Patent applications lead the world |
BC lures Chinese tourists |
Today's Top News
China rescue team starts work
Nearly 2,500 confirmed dead in Nepal quake
Abe's US trip: sense or sensibility?
US sending disaster response team, $1 million aid to Nepal
All-clear sounded at Statue of Liberty after bomb scare
Devastating Nepal quake kills 1,457
Ho Feng Shan: A man of compassion, courage
The real Apple Watch goes on sale Friday in China, US
US Weekly
Geared to go |
The place to be |