Saturday’s Earthquake in Nepal continues to dominate global headlines, with the death toll rising to over 5,000 as rescuers began to reach some of the more remote areas affected by the tragedy.
The Disasters Emergency Committee, a grouping of 13 charities including Oxfam and the Red Cross, have launched an appeal for charitable donations to buy food, water, tents and medical supplies as thousands are still sleeping out in the open. Find out how you can help here.
The sheer scale of the tragedy is illustrated by the photos emerging on social media which show many of the country’s historic sites (some of which this author visited only recently) damaged beyond repair.
Patan Durbar’s Bhupatindra Malla statue pillar before i have taken on my vacation time & after this afternoon. #Nepal pic.twitter.com/WydJWFaURK
— © Roshan Karki (@roshankarki5) April 25, 2015
The statue commemorating Bhupatindra Malla, king of Bhaktapur in the early 1700s, lies in ruins.
Bhimsen Tower aka Dharahara in #Nepal before and After the #earthquake pic.twitter.com/JbdlV34rj9
— Swapnil Ghangale (@GcsswapniL) April 25, 2015
This 62-metre high tower dates from 1832, and offered visitors a panoramic view of the Kathmandu valley.
It was just one of the landmarks that earned the area the status of a UNESCO World Heritage site.
#Nepal #earthquake: #Kathmandu landmarks #before and #after #quake, in pictures: In pics… http://t.co/N4gAezgyCQ
— Zafar Ali (@syedzafar5) April 27, 2015
Irina Bokova the director-general of UNESCO said she was “shocked by the extensive and irreversible damage at the World Heritage site of Kathmandu Valley.”
Pictures of Patan Durbar Hall, a UNESCO world heritage site, in #Kathmandu one hour apart before & after #earthquake pic.twitter.com/nFB7PGv2q9
— Mohan Almal (@Mohanalmal) April 25, 2015
There are multiple views of the damage to Patan Durbar Hall, one of Nepal’s architectural and historical crown jewels.
Patan Durbar Square (#Nepal‘s Pride & UNESCO’s World Heritage Site) BEFORE/AFTER the #NepalEarthquake #PrayForNepal pic.twitter.com/JcxNJWsYLn
— JigmeUgen (@JigmeUgen) April 25, 2015
Tourists have also been sharing their shots.
A sinking feeling this is before vs after #NepalEarthquake pic.twitter.com/fAcl8uoIVV
— Susan Hough (@SeismoSue) April 25, 2015
Meanwhile climbing parties have been sharing shots of the devastation at Everest Base Camp, where a massive avalanche was triggered by the earthquake, killing 18 and injuring 61.
#Everest base camp after #NepalEarthquake. #NepalQuake pic.twitter.com/onGr7akAR8
— Northmen PK (@NorthmenPK) April 25, 2015
Meanwhile Russian TV channel RT posted this dramatic drone video showing the extent of the devastation from the air.
If you’d like to help the people of Nepal please give generously to the Disasters Emergency Committee appeal.