Nepal: thousands take refuge in streets after devastating earthquake
Thousands of people are being forced to sleep in the streets of the Nepalese capital Kathmandu in the wake of the country’s devastating earthquake. Those out in the cold are the lucky ones. The death toll now stands at well over two-thousand. “We’ve slept here because we’re afraid of aftershocks, because all of the hotels have high floors. So now we are here and we’re waiting for the situation to improve,” said one French tourist. The 7.9 magnitude quake struck central Nepal early on Saturday, between the capital and the city of Pokhara. It reduced buildings and spiritual landmarks to rubble. People have been told to stay outdoors, as aftershocks continue, including a 6.7 magnitude quake on Sunday. The focus now is on helping survivors and rescuing those still trapped in the rubble. Against the odds, a Chinese team has managed to pull a man out from a damaged residential building. He was alive. As the dead are cremated, the scale of the disaster continues to unfold. There are areas outside Kathmandu yet to be reached. The worst earthquake in 80 years will leave a lasting scar on the Himalayan nation. WFP emergency teams are on the ground in #Nepal, responding to the #NepalQuake http://t.co/3arGXuIBq1 pic.twitter.com/vMEyordkW5— World Food Programme (@WFP) April 26, 2015 I took these photos an hour apart. Was wandering when quake demolished temples before my eyes. Heartbreaking. pic.twitter.com/RYtIZI4725— Siobhan Heanue (@siobhanheanue) April 25, 2015 Crowds gather as a handful of rescuers dig through rubble of collapsed residential building by hand #NepalQuake pic.twitter.com/dxi3XC58o5— Siobhan Heanue (@siobhanheanue) April 25, 2015 International offers of help for Nepal Offers of help for Nepal are coming in from around the world. It is a race against the clock to reach those who may still be alive beneath the rubble. Checks for casualties and damage continue to be carried out in neighbouring countries, including China, India and Bangladesh, which also felt the quake and aftershocks. #Russia to Send Rescuers to Nepal Earthquake Site, Everest Climbers Alive and Well http://t.co/pWDvQGyH9D #news— The Moscow Times (@MoscowTimes) April 26, 2015 Rescuers dig out survivor of Nepal earthquake. Hundreds are dead. Latest update: http://t.co/qfbKgvWKZ8 pic.twitter.com/Oh4Kq14FUe— Jim Roberts (@nycjim) April 25, 2015 The history of earthquakes in the Himalayas http://t.co/5VNRGhxUzX pic.twitter.com/hYg4ykvj3Q— The Independent (@Independent) April 26, 2015
