Number of dead in Nepal quake continues to rise

Death toll now more than 2,200, with scores injured Strong aftershocks cause panic and further damage New avalanche strikes Mt. Everest, where at least 17 died Offers of help pour in from around the world Death toll rises by the minute Strong aftershocks continue to hit Nepal, with one measuring 6.7 on the Richter scale, causing further panic and devastation. A new avalanche was also triggered near Mount Everest. The number of dead continues to rise by the minute after Saturday’s 7.9 magnitude quake, amid frantic searches for survivors among the rubble. The latest official death toll is now more than 2,200, but many remote areas close to the epicentre have still not been reached. Hospitals and clinics are overwhelmed with the scores of people arriving with serious injuries. 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 Many buildings and landmarks destroyed The strongest earthquake to hit Nepal in 80 years devastated the Kathmandu valley. It caused many buildings and landmarks to collapse, and triggered a deadly avalanche on Mount Everest. At least 17 were killed at the base camp. Local authorities are struggling to cope with the aftermath, with reports of many rescuers being forced to dig with their bare hands. The historic Dharahara Tower in Nepal’s capital has been reduced to a stump. Built in 1832, what was a 14-storey structure is now unrecognisable. 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 Nepal’s worst earthquake in 1934 killed more than 8,500 people. Fears of further strong quakes Many residents have also been forced to spend the night on the streets, with so many homes destroyed. In Kathmandu, residents bedded down in make-shift outdoor shelters. Afraid to return home, people preferred to brave the freezing temperatures. “We are hearing rumours that other bigger earthquakes are expected to happen. We are sleeping here, so we can stay safe and quickly run to safety if needed,” explained Rabindra Shresth, a local resident displaced by the earthquake. An untold number of people have been injured. With many people still trapped under rubble, there are fears the death toll will climb. 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 The quake also triggered an avalanche on Mount Everest, killing at least 18 people as it swept through a base camp for climbers. Thirty-six fatalities were reported in India, which is now coordinating a disaster response to help neighbouring Nepal. International offers of help for Nepal India’s Foreign Minister, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, said: “Once we have a damage assessment, which we hope to have done overnight, by tomorrow our endeavour would be to have five helicopters positioned in Kathmandu and five helicopters positioned in Pokhara. “Their role would be to do the local rescue, to do airlifting if they have to and to do food distribution locally.” The US is providing one million dollars in immediate assistance to Nepal, and China is also sending an emergency team. International aid groups are rushing to reach victims in rural villages after communications were cut off by the quake. Google has launched a People Finder search for those looking to check on loved ones. Help keep children safe in #Nepal. Text NEPAL to 70123 to donate £5. T&C: http://t.co/dFYgyW59HR. #NepalEarthquake pic.twitter.com/6AXxDhHjql— Unicef UK (@UNICEF_uk) April 26, 2015 Incredible slideshow of photos by AFP's robertoindelhi at Everest Base Camp w/ akannampilly when #Nepal quake hit: http://t.co/pb4AqOgfkj— Sara Hussein (sarahussein) April 26, 2015 First Everest avalanche victim named as Google executive http://t.co/zkY9ql0VHZ pic.twitter.com/5uHW2TMm4u— The Telegraph (@Telegraph) April 26, 2015 The simple ways you can help victims of the Nepal earthquake http://t.co/sxoB0GGo1s pic.twitter.com/fnqGO3dO1h— The Independent (@Independent) April 26, 2015 By Seamus Kearney and Joanna Gill.