Pope
prays for victims of massive earthquake in Nepal
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis is praying for the victims of a
major earthquake in Nepal and following the developments in the country with
great concern and sharing in the suffering of those who were struck. The major
earthquake, which measured 7.9 on the Richter Scale, shook Nepal just
before noon on Saturday, causing major damage to the densely-populated
Kathmandu Valley. Officials fear hundreds of people have died.
The quake’s epicenter was 80 km northwest of the country’s
capital, Kathmandu. The quake toppled a 100-year -old temple, split roads, and
razed houses and buildings.
Among the damages is the Dharahara Tower, a national monument,
built by Nepal’s royal rulers in the 1800’s. Officials estimate that at least
50 people are trapped inside the collapsed structure.
The quake is reported to have caused avalanches in the Mount
Everest region of the Himalayas and Tremors could be felt as far away in New
Delhi in neighbouring India .
Vatican Radio spoke with Fr Pius Perumana, an aid worker from
Caritas Nepal in Kathmandu, who said many of the houses in the tightly packed
city have collapsed and survivors need emergency medical care and
shelter.
“I managed to reach Kathmandu, though the roads were
blocked…they are still searching for survivors. The reports are still coming
in…The picture is not very clear,” he said.
This is Nepal’s second-worst earthquake since 1934, when an
8.0-magnitude quake destroyed three cities: Kathmandu, Bhaktapur and Patan.
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