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Pope Francis prays for victims of Nepal earthquake


Pope Francis is praying for victims of the massive earthquake which struck Nepal yesterday. The quake, which measured 7.9 on the Richter Scale, shook Nepal just before noon on Saturday, causing major damage to the densely-populated Kathmandu Valley. The death toll has already exceeded 1,000 and emergency services are struggling to reach victims as most roads are blocked and electricity is down.

Caritas Nepal director Fr Pius Perumana SJ is in Kathmandu. He said: "It was the worst earthquake I have ever experienced in my life. The after shocks are still strong. Lots of houses have fallen down and there are lots with cracks. Thank God it was during the day and on a holiday as many people were outside when the quake happened."

"Rescue is the first priority. Lots of people have lost their homes and are out on the street or in open spaces, so we will be looking to provide them with food and temporary shelter," Fr Pius said.

The epicenter of the quake was 80 km northwest of the country's capital, Kathmandu. Historic buildings have been destroyed, roads have buckled and many homes have been razed to the ground. The quake is reported to have caused avalanches in the Mount Everest region of the Himalayas and tremors have been felt as far away in New Delhi in neighbouring India .

The airport is currently closed so Caritas members are looking to send aid overland from India.

This is Nepal's worst earthquake since 1934, when an 8.0-magnitude quake destroyed three cities: Kathmandu, Bhaktapur and Patan.

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