Nepal death toll tops 2,300

Aid groups and governments worldwide intensify efforts to help earthquake-hit Nepal, but blocked roads, downed power lines and overcrowded hospitals pose formidable challenges in an already poor country.

As the death toll in the Himalayan nation surpasses 2,300, the US together with European and Asian nations send emergency crews to reinforce those scrambling to find survivors in the devastated capital Kathmandu and in cut-off rural areas.

“Tragically, more bodies are being pulled from collapsed buildings every hour,” the Australian Red Cross says in a statement.

“Communication is down in many areas. Widespread destruction, rubble and landslides are preventing access to provide aid in many villages.”

Mike Bruce, regional communications manager for the Plan International aid organization, says many areas — both rural and in some of the larger towns — had suffered landslides and roads were blocked.

Although mobile networks appeared to be being restored by mid-afternoon on Sunday, he says, coverage remained sporadic.

“People are sleeping on the streets and cooking outside for the most part. And we are talking about very, very poor areas of Nepal — areas that are already suffering a great deal,” says Bruce.

— AFP