News / More

250 feared missing in Nepal mudslide, avalanche

Tuesday, 28 April 2015 3:35 PM [ Last Update: Tuesday, 28 April 2015 3:36 PM ]

The AP photo on April 27, 2015, photo shows a door standing by the rubble of a collapsed home 25 kilometers (15.5 miles) from the epicenter of Saturday's massive earthquake in Pokhridada, Gorkha district, Nepal.

At least 250 villagers are feared missing in a new mudslide and avalanche days after a deadly 7.8-magnitude earthquake hit the South Asian country of Nepal.

On Tuesday, officials said the mudslide and avalanche took place in the isolated Ghodatabela village in rural regions near Gorkha district, about 100 kilometers northwest of the capital, Kathmandu, the epicenter of the April 25 earthquake.

“An avalanche occurred in the afternoon today in Ghodatabela, an area on the popular Langtang trekking route,” said the chief district officer, Uddav Prasad Bhattarai.

Reports indicate that there had been heavy snowfall near the village and the ground may have been loosened after the quake.

Many roads have been blocked as a result of landslides, making it difficult for rescue teams and aid deliveries.

A helicopter carrying injured villagers from the earthquake arrives from the heavily-damaged Ranachour village at a landing zone in the town of Gorkha, Nepal, Tuesday, April 28, 2015. © AP

The death toll for the natural disaster has exceeded 5,000 so far. More than 10,000 others have been also injured.

About 18 people were also killed in the new avalanche on Nepal’s Mount Everest, which was triggered by the quake.

Although most of the casualties were in Nepal, neighboring India reported 61 deaths and Tibet 25.

Nepal has announced three days of national mourning.

According to the United Nations, some 8 million people across Nepal have been affected by the incident and that more than 1.4 million people are in need of food assistance.

The World Food Program (WFP) said that in addition to its aid operations, it was providing logistics, telecommunications, and air transport, which would cost $34 million over the next three months.

SZH/MKA/SS

Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.co.uk