Several historic monuments and temples in Nepal have been destroyed by the earthquake, which caused
thousands of deaths and injuries.
Omar Havana / Getty Images
April 27, 2015
Earthquake in Nepal
The Asian nation struggles to recover after being devastated by a powerful
earthquake
By Sean Price
Rescuers are working
to help survivors of the
quake.
Niranjan Shrestha / AP
Images
A deadly earthquake ripped through Nepal on Saturday, causing
mass destruction throughout the small Asian country. Nearly
4,000 people have died and thousands more were injured in the
quake, which destroyed countless buildings, homes, and
businesses. Rescuers are working hard to help the injured and to
find those who are missing.
The earthquake registered 7.8 on the moment magnitude
scale, which is a way for scientists to measure the energy
released by earthquakes. The Nepal quake was about the same
magnitude, or level of force, as an earthquake that destroyed
much of San Francisco in 1906.
Many survivors are now
living in tents.
Prakash Mathema / AFP
/ Getty Images
Nepal’s capital, Kathmandu, is only about 50 miles away from
the quake’s epicenter (the starting point of an earthquake).
Many parts of the city—which has a population of roughly 3
million people—were devastated by the quake.
“It was a nightmare,” says Nikita Thapa, a woman who lives in Kathmandu. “It was like
doomsday.”
Small villages in the mountainous region have also been
wiped out, and many people are trapped in remote areas that
are difficult for rescuers to reach.
AFTERSHOCKS AND AFTERMATH
Kathmandu is about 50
miles away from the
quake's epicenter.
Jim McMahon
Like most earthquakes, this one was followed by powerful
aftershocks (smaller earthquakes that come after a larger
one). The aftershocks have also toppled buildings and left
people trapped in the rubble.
Unfortunately, the aftershocks could continue for days—or
even months. “We don’t feel safe at all,” says Rajendra Dhungana, 34, of Kathmandu.
“There have been so many aftershocks. It doesn’t stop.”
The earthquake also triggered a giant, deadly avalanche on Mount Everest, the world’s
tallest mountain. The avalanche killed at least 18 people and has left others trapped. It
was the single deadliest day for climbers on the mountain, which has claimed the lives of
many who have attempted to reach its summit.
In addition, several historic monuments and temples in Nepal have been destroyed. One
of the most famous was the nine-story Dharahara Tower. It was built as a watchtower in
the 1800s, but it has now been reduced to rubble. Many people are believed to be trapped
inside.
SURVIVING THE QUAKE
Survivors have had to flee their homes for fear of falling buildings. Many people are
living in tents in open squares and fields and on golf courses.
Everyone who survived is now focused on the basics of life—shelter, food, and water.
Delivering food and water to the troubled area is difficult because of the widespread
damage.
A HELPING HAND
Workers from international relief agencies have been pouring in to bring supplies to the
country, which was poor and without many resources even before the earthquake. Those
agencies are also working to find the missing and aid the injured.
It’s now a race against time to rescue those who are buried in the rubble. But the constant
aftershocks are making rescue efforts challenging. “There have been nearly 100
earthquakes and aftershocks, which is making rescue work difficult,” says an official in
Kathmandu. “Even the rescuers are scared and running because of them.