KATHMANDU, May 12 (Xinhua) -- A total of 37 people have been confirmed dead on Tuesday's powerful quake that jolted Nepal, the Home Ministry said in its latest update.
In a press release this evening, the Home Ministry said 37 people have been confirmed dead in different districts, including Dolakha district, where 19 deaths were reported. Another 1,129 people have sustained injuries, who are undergoing treatment in different hospitals, it added.
Tuesday's quake comes at on top of the April 25 deadly disaster, in which more than 8,000 people have been confirmed dead while another 17,000 were injured. "A 6.8 magnitude earthquake has hit Nepal at 12:54 and the epicenter is in Dolakha, some 130 kilometers from Kathmandu," the Home ministry said. The U.S. Geological Survey had recorded the magnitude of Tuesday's quake as 7.3.
According to the Ministry, search and rescue operation is underway in the worst-hit districts with the help of helicopters.
Detail of infrastructure damage in different districts is yet to be ascertained.
Related:
Nepal's only international airport closed following quake
KATHMANDU, May 12 (Xinhua) -- Nepal's only international airport Tribhuwan International Airport has been closed following the powerful earthquake Tuesday afternoon.
The airport in Kathmandu was closed immediately after the 7.4 magnitude quake jolted Nepal, an airport official told Xinhua over phone. More details are yet to be ascertained.
Earlier on Monday, the airport was closed for one hour in the noon following trouble in runway.
Interview: China has done "very good job" in quake rescue, relief: Nepal FM
KATHMANDU, May 12 (Xinhua) -- China has done a "very good job" in helping Nepal better cope with the aftermath of the strong earthquake that wreaked havoc in the Himalayan country, Nepalese Foreign Minister Mahendra Bahadur Pandey said.
"Through your media, we would like to extend our thanks to the Chinese people and the Chinese government ... We appreciate the prompt response (to the April 25 earthquake) shown by Chinese President Xi Jinping, and we are very happy and it has encouraged us to move forward," he told Xinhua in an interview.Full story
