7.8 Magnitude Earthquake Slams Nepal
www.cnn.com
A 7.8 magnitude earthquake centered less than 50 miles from Kathmandu rocked Nepal with devastating force early Saturday, killing at least 688 people -- and probably more -- in Nepal's capital city, authorities said.
The U.S. Geological Survey had at first rated the temblor at 7.5 magnitude but later upgraded the strength. It reported aftershocks of 6.6 and 5.1 magnitude, among many others others. In all, the USGS said, at least 15 aftershocks of magnitude 4.5 or greater had been felt in Nepal so far.
One witness told CNN by phone that people were gathered outdoors in fear. Another said via Facebook that power was out and people were listening for news on their car radios.
"We are scared and waiting for the tremors to end," Shiwani Neupane said on Facebook chat from Kathmandu. "We are all sitting outside because there is more news of another quake.
"There is no power and families are listening to the FM radio inside their cars," Neupane said. "News of multiple building collapses. I've seen many cracked walls and roads and buildings. The Dharara was packed with people a while ago. There are police everywhere trying to move rubble to make space on the roads for ambulances. Everyone is very scared."
The force of the quake was said by people who contacted the USGS to be from "severe" to "violent," nearly the highest rating on the intensity scale. Tremors were felt as far as New Delhi, more than 200 miles away in neighboring India. An official said they were felt there at magnitude 5.0.
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