Nearly 1,000 killed in devastating earthquake in Nepal

Kathmandu (IINA) - Over 1,000 are feared to have died and more than more than 1,700 injured in a powerful earthquake in Nepal and parts of India and Bangladesh with many more feared trapped under rubble, according to media reports.

The quake measuring 7.9 is the strongest to hit Nepal in 81 years and many parts of the country experienced aftershocks after the earthquake that had its epicenter at Gorkha, 140 km west of capital Kathmandu. At least 970 people are known to have died in Nepal where tremors were felt across the region, with further loss of life in India, Bangladesh, Tibet and on Mount Everest. The government has declared a state of emergency in the affected areas. Nepali Information Minister Minendra Rijal said there had been "massive damage" at the epicentre, from where little information is emerging.

"We need support from the various international agencies which are more knowledgeable and equipped to handle the kind of emergency we face now," he said. Rescuers are digging through the rubble of collapsed buildings in the capital trying to reach survivors. A number of historic buildings have been destroyed, BBC reported. Among those wrecked was the landmark Dharahara tower, with many feared trapped in its ruins.

After the earthquake struck, frightened residents came out into the streets. Mobile phones and other communications have been disrupted. Major historic monuments in the Nepalese capital have been destroyed in the powerful earthquake, eyewitnesses and officials have said. These include a nine-story tower, temples and some parts of what was once a royal palace, all listed as UNESCO world heritage sites. Pictures posted on social media show some of the monuments have been reduced to rubble.

Eyewitnesses say several others now have cracks and could collapse. Officials have said some temples and monuments at other world heritage sites near Kathmandu have also been damaged. These sites are Nepal's major tourist attractions. Nepal had lost several such monuments during a major earthquake in 1934. There are also reports of damage to Kathmandu airport which could hamper relief operations. With little known about the extent of the damage around the earthquake's epicentre, there are fears the death toll could rise.

HA/IINA

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