Nepal earthquake: Hundreds die, many feared trapped

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http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-32461019

At least 970 people are known to have died in a powerful earthquake in Nepal, with many more feared trapped under rubble, officials say.

The 7.8 magnitude quake struck an area between the capital, Kathmandu, and the city of Pokhara, the US Geological Survey said.

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.

Get the latest updates on the Nepalese earthquake

"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.

A national police spokesman told the BBC that 970 people had died in the quake, and that more than 1,700 had been injured. At least 539 people were killed in the Kathmandu valley, he added.

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Everest Climber Warns 'More To Die' Without Help

http://news.sky.com/story/1472054/everest-climber-warns-more-to-die-without-help

At least 10 people have been reported killed after an earthquake triggered a "huge avalanche" which swept through Everest base camp.

Romanian mountaineer Alex Gavan said there had been a "huge disaster" on the world's highest peak and pleaded for rescue helicopters to be sent before more of the injured died.

"Helped searched and rescued victims through huge debris area. Many dead. Much more badly injured.More to die if not heli asap," he tweeted.

Earlier he described "running for life from my tent" as the avalanche hit.

Images from Everest showed belongings scattered on the ground and snow covering tents.

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Before

After

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Death toll 870 for now.

180 bodies retrieved from debris of Nepal's historic tower

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Earthquake-in-north-India/liveblog/47047920.cms

180 bodies retrieved from debris of Nepal's historic tower

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/south-asia/180-bodies-retrieved-from-debris-of-Nepals-historic-tower/articleshow/47051438.cms

KATHMANDU: Nepal's 19th-century nine-storey Dharahara tower in the heart of the capital on Saturday became a burial ground for hundreds of visitors who had come to see the panoramic views of the Kathmandu valley from the top of the minaret.

The 50.5-metre-high historic tower was reduced to just its base after a powerful earthquake measuring 7.9 on Richter scale struck Nepal on flattening the minaret and trapping hundreds of visitors under its debris.

At least 180 bodies have been retrieved from the rubble so far, police said, adding that several people were still trapped under the debris.

Rescue workers were seen retrieving bodies from the debris and the people on the spot desperately tried to dig through piles of bricks and dust with their bare hands.

The tower ? which was white, topped with a bronze minaret and contained a spiral staircase of over 200 steps ? was a major tourist attraction in the heart of the capital. It was built in 1832 by then