Indians arrive from Kathmandu by a C-17 Globamaster III after being evacuated from Nepal which was struck by a 7.9-magnitude earthquake
Over 500 passengers including many infants arrived in Delhi by Air Force planes late last night and in the early hours today after being evacuated from Nepal, which has been devastated by a 7.9 magnitude earthquake.
Here are the latest developments:
The quake on Saturday morning, which has killed over 1,900 people, caused massive damage in Nepal's capital Kathmandu with strong tremors felt across large swathes of Northern India for nearly a minute.
The first Indian Air Force plane to arrive from Kathmandu was a C-130J Super Hercules carrying 55 passengers, including four infants, at around 10:45 p.m yesterday, followed by a C-17 Globemaster III, a little after midnight with 101 passengers and an infant. In the early hours today, an IL-76 aircraft brought back 152 passengers. Soon after - around 4.45 a.m - another C-17 Globemaster III returned with 247 Indians.
"Rescue operations are a priority," Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said in Mann ki Baat, his monthly radio address, adding that "India was with Nepal in this hour of crisis."
The government has accelerated rescue and relief efforts. "Ten flights are planned for Kathmandu today. These would be airlifting army forward hospitals, engineering task forces, water, food, National Disaster Response Force teams, medical personnel and equipment, blankets and tents," said Sitanshu Kar, the spokesperson for the defence ministry. (See pics)
An under-14 girls' football team from India, stuck in Kathmandu, will be evacuated "on priority," External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj tweeted this morning. (Read)
Over 700 have died in Kathmandu, the police said. Two Indians are among those killed, reports news agency Press Trust of India. (Track updates)
In India, over 50 people have died, with the maximum casualties being reported in Bihar - 35 have been killed and over 130 are injured. The government has announced a compensation of Rs 2 lakh for the families of those killed.
17 bodies have been recovered at the base camp of Mount Everest which was hit by an avalanche triggered by the deadly earthquake. 61 people have also been injured.
The Ministry of External Affairs has set up a 24-hour control room. Indians stranded in Kathmandu who want to get in touch with their families in India can contact the embassy in Kathmandu controlroom@mea.gov.in.
The quake was epicentred 81 kilometres northwest of Kathmandu, with walls crumbling and families racing outside of their homes. Initially measured at 7.5 magnitude, the quake was later adjusted to 7.9, with a depth of 15 kilometres.
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