Death Toll rises to 3218 in Nepal; 1935 Indians Evacuated

Kathmandu, April 27: The death toll in Saturday’s devastating earthquake in Nepal, has gone up to 3,218, as more dead bodies have been retrieved from the debris. Unofficial sources in Nepal put the number of casualties at around 10,000. The 7.9 magnitude quake also triggered tremors in many parts of South Asia and killed 68 people in India and 20 in China.

Over 6,500 people were injured. Rains and bad weather have hampered the rescue operations, but efforts are on to save more lives and recover the bodies. As India take the lead in rescue and relief operations, Israel, Pakistan, China and European Commission along with other nations have assured full support to help quake-ravaged Nepal.

India has been sending NDRF teams, relief materials, technicians, medical teams, medicines, packaging food etc. for the last three days. The European Commission has released EUR 3 million (USD 3.25 million) in emergency aid for Nepal which will help fund clean water, medicine, emergency shelter and telecommunications in the worst-affected areas.

India has stepped up rescue and relief operations in Nepal, as the PM is directly monitoring the situation. The Indian Air Force (IAF) flew 12 sorties to evacuate 1,935 stranded Indians from Nepal. The U-14 Girl’s Football Team, also returned home yesterday. An inter-ministerial team in India, headed by Additional Secretary in MHA BK Prasad, leaves for Nepal to coordinate rescue and relief operations.