by Allanah Leahy – EM TV Online
In the aftermath of the 7.9 magnitude quake that struck Nepal on Saturday, aerial shots broadcast by Nepal TV yesterday reveal the scope of damage in remote parts of the Himalayas.
More than 3,000 people are feared dead as a result of the earthquake, and medical and rescue efforts are underway, following an appeal made by the Nepal government.
The footage yesterday revealed the extent of damage caused in the landlocked Himalayan kingdom. The earthquake struck near Nepal’s capital, Kathmandu. Relief efforts and funds have been flooding in; China, the UK and India flew in emergency and rescue crews, while India also flew in medical supplies and Thailand sent doctors and disaster relief teams.
The UK government has also donated over K20 million, while the Canadian government allocated over K11 million. A team of Israeli medical and rescue efforts, as well as almost 100 tonnes of aid supplies, experienced delays due to landing conditions and tremors.
“We plan to build there a hospital that will function as a triage hospital, which means we can operate, we can have intensive care, hospitalise and even escort patients, the wounded, the injured to Israel. We are also ready to give medical support to the rescue teams that are on the arena,” said Chief Medical Corp Officer Brigadier General Dr Dudu Dagan.
Rescuers were hard at work into the early hours of yesterday morning, trying to rescue survivors trapped in collapsed buildings. Crowds cheered as survivors were pulled from the rubble and sent to waiting ambulances.
Nepal’s many remote parts have been devastated and rescue operations have not commenced in some areas. The earthquake had also caused an avalanche on Mount Everest, killing at least 17 people.
Prime Minister Peter O’Neill yesterday expressed deep sympathy towards the countries affected, calling for Papua New Guineans to reflect on the families who have lost their loved ones.
Source: Reuters
