Nepalese authorities said that more than 1,800 people had died across the country. There has been massive destruction of property.
The government of Nepal declared a state of emergency on Saturday after the earthquake. The tremors even jolted parts of northern India where 44 were reported dead from the deadliest earthquake in 81 years. Avalanches on Mount Everest left 17 people dead. Helicopters started landing early morning on Sunday to rescue people still stuck in the mountains.
Azim Afif: Injured climbers taken to med fac in Periche. Critical cases taken to Kathmandu. @501Awani pic-Azim Afif. pic.twitter.com/6rExHZvfZ9
— Rizal Zulkapli AWANI (@rizalzulkapli) April 26, 2015
"I can see three bodies of monks trapped in the debris of a collapsed building near a monastery," Indian tourist Devyani Pant told Reuters. "We are trying to pull the bodies out and look for anyone who is trapped."
Countries around the world rushed to support the relief efforts.
Direction Kathmandu: Polish fireman on the way to Nepal with help to earthquake wictims. pic.twitter.com/B7n6Y3Z9is
— Chopin Airport, WAW (@ChopinAirport) April 26, 2015
India sent military aircraft with aid and equipment to help search for people trapped under the rubble. In addition, 285 members of the National Disaster Relief Force were sent to Nepal. China sent a 62-member search and rescue team.
Earlier today: relief materials and equipment for earthquake assistance being loaded on aircraft bound for Kathmandu pic.twitter.com/6hMyOkMrT6
— Vikas Swarup (@MEAIndia) April 25, 2015
China Int'l Rescue Team with 62 members arrives at #Nepal on Sunday after 8.1-m earthquake. pic.twitter.com/TxTrLMbokt
— People's Daily,China (@PDChina) April 26, 2015
Pakistan is sending four aircraft with a 30-bed field hospital, humanitarian experts, rescue workers and over 2,000 meals and medicines.
Pakistan to dispatch 4 c-130 with relief goods to Nepal #NepalEarthquake #PakistanStandsWithNepal pic.twitter.com/YMZs4K1Nd0
— sumairajamil (@iamsumaira) April 25, 2015
The US Embassy in Nepal announced aid of $1 million to help with rehabilitation as scores of citizens were forced to spend night on the roads and footpaths since their homes had been razed by the earthquake.Norway has also announced aid of $3.9 million for Nepal.
Here are some pictures of the destruction from the social media.
Breaking: Death toll from Nepal earthquake surpasses 1,800, over 4,700 injured -- Home Ministry #NepalEarthquake pic.twitter.com/snXCL0ahT0
— China Xinhua News (@XHNews) April 26, 2015
Rescue efforts have begun in Kathmandu after a 7.9 quake struck Nepal's capital, leaving at least 1,500 people dead. pic.twitter.com/ZApYfEvbi1
— AJ+ (@ajplus) April 26, 2015
Prayers for everyone in #Nepal. #PrayForNepal pic.twitter.com/cyZFPsWNIq
— Malek Hussin (@AbdMalekHussin) April 25, 2015
62 member Chinese international rescue team, including six sniffer dogs, leaves Beijing for Nepal early Sunday pic.twitter.com/Old3rnaYaT
— Ananth Krishnan (@ananthkrishnan) April 26, 2015
Some people in Kathmandu literally spent their night out in streets, laying carpets on streetsides. #Nepal pic.twitter.com/fDoaxkLhhh
— Anup Kaphle (@AnupKaphle) April 26, 2015
Bunch of us huddled in the middle of an intersection away from things we've seen fall. #Kathmandu #earthquake pic.twitter.com/HomswcjyZW
— Jonathan Khoo (@jonk) April 25, 2015
For those who want to help, PRI has put together a list of seven vetted charities that are doing relief work. Another list of organisations and collectives assisting with the rescue effort can be found here. Google has activated its person finder tool in case you are looking for someone missing or have information about someone. Several helplines have been set up to check on the whereabouts of people caught in the chaos.