Nepal Earthquake Update: 2,500 Dead; Rescue Efforts Restricted by Mount Everest Avalanches
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The death toll after the Nepal earthquake last Saturday continues to rise with at least 2,500 dead.
The powerful earthquake shook the nation with a force of 7.8 magnitude, claiming lives and destroying homes and historic buildings in its wake. Neighboring countries also felt the tremors including India, Tibet, and Bangladesh, reports BBC.
The shocks induced an avalanche that killed at least 18 mountaineers and injured dozens while others are still missing on Mount Everest, according to CNN. Many badly wounded mountaineers are in need of medical assistance and calling for helicopter assistance.
"We were sitting here in base camp, feeling the situation was getting better," said Carsten Lillelund Pedersen, a Danish climber.
"And then suddenly, we felt the aftershock," he said. "And immediately after the shock, we hear avalanches from all the mountains around us."
Another powerful aftershock was felt on Sunday in Nepal which brought on more avalanches near Everest and restricted the efforts to rescue the stranded climbers. According to Tourism Minister Deepak Chanda Amatya via BBC, more than 50 climbers have been rescued.
The destruction caused by the earthquake will heavily strain Nepal's resources as it is a nation dependent on tourism. According to USA Today, historical temples and towers collapsed in ancient Old Kathmandu. The Dharahara Tower, a UNESCO-renowned monument built by Nepal's royalty in the 1800s, crumbled to dust and rubble. Bhaktapur, Nepal's best preserved historic city, has 80 percent of its temples damaged and at least half of the homes destroyed. There are now 29 districts that have been declared as crisis zones.
The country's hospitals are overwhelmed with the number of wounded and dead. According to Huffington Post, some of the deceased were traditionally cremated and the grieving masses flocked to the Hindu Pashupatinath Temple for mass funerals.
According to BBC, there are 15 international search-and-rescue teams and over 14 international medical teams sent to Nepal. The country is experiencing water, food, and electricity shortage, according to United Nations.
Here are some groups soliciting donations for relief efforts in Nepal. The list is from The New York Times. Please click on any of the links if you wish to help, donate money, or volunteer.
Habitat for Humanity International
The American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee
Red Cross
United Nations World Food Program
Jewish Federations of North America
