KABUL: (Middle East Press) An extremely powerful earthquake early Sunday in Nepal near the capital of Kathmandu a day earlier flattened homes, buildings and temples, causing widespread damage across the region and killing more than 1,000 people.
According to the US Geological Survey, the 7.8 magnitude quake struck in the city of Pokhara.
Dozens of bodies were pulled from the historic nine-story Dharahara tower that came crashing down during the quake and at least 17 people were reported killed on Mount Everest, where the quake caused multiple avalanches.
According to national police spokesman, at least 1,700 people have been injured and over dozen others are still likely to be trapped.
The quake was the strongest in the region in more than 80 years. Residents are used to earthquakes in Nepal, and many thought the start of Saturday’s quake was a tremor, until the earth kept shaking and buildings crashed down.
The death toll of 1,832 is expected to rise as the full extent of the damage is assessed.
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