South Asia: Earth Quake with magnitude 7.8 have killed at least 876 people.

Police in Nepali have confirmed the death of at least 876 people on an earthquake which rocked the capital, Katamandu, today, Saturday.

Unicef UK has put out an appeal to help those affected by the earthquake in Nepal. Executive director, David Bull said:

"We at Unicef are gravely concerned for children in Nepal affected by the devastating 7.9 earthquake which took place this morning. An earthquake of this size can be deadly, toppling buildings, and destroying roads and infrastructure. Unicef is on the ground, evaluating what needs to be done to immediately respond to the needs of those affected. Communications are down and we don’t yet have a full picture of the devastation, but we fear loss of life and homes destroyed. We will be helping to support Nepal’s children in danger from this earthquake and we need your help to do this. Please go to www.unicef.org.uk to donate now."

According to the spokesman of Nepal's Home Ministry, the total death toll stood at 686, nearly all in the valley around Katamandu and thousands of people have been injured.

The earthquake which flattened sections of the city's historic centre and trapping sightseers in a 200-foot tower is said to have originated from Mount Everest where 3 people were already found dead.

"The earthquake struck just before noon, and residents of Katmandu ran into the streets and other open spaces as buildings fell, throwing up clouds of dust, and wide cracks opened on paved streets and the walls of city buildings. Overflowing hospitals were treating injured patients on the streets, and Nepal’s leading television station, its studios crushed, was broadcasting from the pavement outside."

Kanak Mani Dixit, a Nepalese political commentator, was having lunch when the quake struck. He helped his father and an elderly neighbor to safety in the garden outside and then had to carry his elderly mother.
He says,“And I had time to do all that while the quake was still going on,”. “It was like being on a boat in heavy seas.”

Over 100 people who bought ticket to climb up to a viewing platform have died at the nine-story Dharahara Tower, which was built in 1832 as a watchtower on the orders of the queen, as the building collapsed.

Social media have been busy with people posting pics of the happening, including people digging out bodies.
Like a witness says, “Everywhere there are people on the streets, people crying, people stuck in rubble, people trying to help,”

Hospitals in Katmandu were reporting the arrival of patients with broken limbs.
Many residents sat in the road, afraid to go back indoors. Many said they would spend the night outside, despite the cold.



Fadaka Louis