More than 1,800 killed in Nepal earthquake
World |
7.8-magnitude quake hits Himalayan nation, causing tremors in northern India, Bangladesh and Pakistan.
At least 1,805 people were killed across Nepal after the Himalayan nation was hit by a powerful earthquake, according to figures released by the Nepali Home Ministry on Sunday.
The 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck 80 kilometers northwest of capital Kathmandu on Saturday, according to the U.S. Geological Survey, but the tremors were felt as far away as New Delhi, Dhaka and Pakistans Punjab region.
Buildings were destroyed and roads ruptured in Nepal while telephone and Internet communication was severely disrupted.
Images shared on social media showed the scale of the devastation.
"Most new high rises in #Kathmandu ok, old buildings down. Temples reduced to rubble," Kunda Dixit, editor of the Nepali Times newspaper, posted on Twitter. "Aftershocks were major jolts almost as severe as the main quake."
The historic 62-meter tall Dharahara tower in central Kathmandu was brought crashing down by the quake, with scores of people believed to be trapped under the rubble.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi reacted to the news on Twitter: "We are in the process of finding more information and are working to reach out to those affected, both at home & in Nepal."
In a written statement issued on Saturday, the Turkish Foreign Ministry said some Turkish citizens in Nepal were contacted, adding that, so far, there have been no Turkish casualties as a result of the quake.
"Turkey offers its condolences to the Nepali people and government due to the losses in the earthquake and has launched efforts to provide humanitarian assistance to Nepal," the statement read.
The Turkish Red Crescent has dispatched an expert team from Pakistan and Bangladesh to the earthquake-hit region, and as a first step, will send 1,000 blankets and hundreds of food packages.
Turkish aid agencies have sent a search and rescue team made up of 65 people to Nepal, under the coordination of the Prime Ministry Disaster and Emergency Management (AFAD).
The White House also released a statement to express deep condolences for the lives lost in the aftermath of the earthquake.
The U.S. "is deploying a team of disaster response experts to Nepal," the statement read, noting that Washington is also providing an initial $1 million in disaster relief assistance.
The Canadian Minister for International Development Christian Paradis said that Canada has donated $5 million to Nepal, which will be used by aid agencies involved in rescue operations. He said that Canada will closely monitor the situation and, if needed, more help will come.
Israeli Army spokesman Peter Lerner said on Twitter: Israel Defense Forces to dispatch advance assessment team to Nepal in order to determine the extent of the IDF humanitarian mission.
Meanwhile, the Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson offered Irans condolences to the people of Nepal and Iranian Red Crescent head Ali Asger Ahmedi said that Tehran is ready to help Nepal with humanitarian aid.
Anadolu Agency
The 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck 80 kilometers northwest of capital Kathmandu on Saturday, according to the U.S. Geological Survey, but the tremors were felt as far away as New Delhi, Dhaka and Pakistans Punjab region.
Buildings were destroyed and roads ruptured in Nepal while telephone and Internet communication was severely disrupted.
Images shared on social media showed the scale of the devastation.
"Most new high rises in #Kathmandu ok, old buildings down. Temples reduced to rubble," Kunda Dixit, editor of the Nepali Times newspaper, posted on Twitter. "Aftershocks were major jolts almost as severe as the main quake."
The historic 62-meter tall Dharahara tower in central Kathmandu was brought crashing down by the quake, with scores of people believed to be trapped under the rubble.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi reacted to the news on Twitter: "We are in the process of finding more information and are working to reach out to those affected, both at home & in Nepal."
In a written statement issued on Saturday, the Turkish Foreign Ministry said some Turkish citizens in Nepal were contacted, adding that, so far, there have been no Turkish casualties as a result of the quake.
"Turkey offers its condolences to the Nepali people and government due to the losses in the earthquake and has launched efforts to provide humanitarian assistance to Nepal," the statement read.
The Turkish Red Crescent has dispatched an expert team from Pakistan and Bangladesh to the earthquake-hit region, and as a first step, will send 1,000 blankets and hundreds of food packages.
Turkish aid agencies have sent a search and rescue team made up of 65 people to Nepal, under the coordination of the Prime Ministry Disaster and Emergency Management (AFAD).
The White House also released a statement to express deep condolences for the lives lost in the aftermath of the earthquake.
The U.S. "is deploying a team of disaster response experts to Nepal," the statement read, noting that Washington is also providing an initial $1 million in disaster relief assistance.
The Canadian Minister for International Development Christian Paradis said that Canada has donated $5 million to Nepal, which will be used by aid agencies involved in rescue operations. He said that Canada will closely monitor the situation and, if needed, more help will come.
Israeli Army spokesman Peter Lerner said on Twitter: Israel Defense Forces to dispatch advance assessment team to Nepal in order to determine the extent of the IDF humanitarian mission.
Meanwhile, the Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson offered Irans condolences to the people of Nepal and Iranian Red Crescent head Ali Asger Ahmedi said that Tehran is ready to help Nepal with humanitarian aid.
Anadolu Agency
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