More than 700 people have been killed in the earthquake in Nepal.

(Baonghean.vn) - More than 700 people are believed to have died in an earthquake in Nepal. The number could rise as many people are still trapped under the rubble, officials said.

Rescuers are digging through the rubble to find more survivors (Photo: EPA)

A 7.9 magnitude earthquake struck between the capital Kathmandu and the city of Pokhara on April 25, the US Geological Survey said.

The government has declared a state of emergency in the affected areas.

Nepal's Information Minister Minendra Rijal said there had been "massive damage" at the epicenter.

“We need support from international organizations with better equipment to help us deal with the emergency we are facing now,” he said.

A National Police spokesman told the BBC that the earthquake had killed 711 people, 467 of whom were in the Kathmandu area.

Many historical buildings were also destroyed in the earthquake (Photo: AP)

Rescuers are digging through the rubble of collapsed buildings in the capital and trying to find more survivors.

Many historical buildings were also destroyed.

After the earthquake, people were terrified and ran into the streets. Mobile phones and other means of communication were cut off.

Kathmandu airport has also been damaged and this will hamper relief operations.

Chaotic scene at Kathmandu airport (Photo: Reuters)

There is currently little information about the extent of damage at the epicentre of the earthquake, raising concerns that the death toll could rise.

Aftershocks continued to hit the area for several hours afterward.

The earthquake triggered an avalanche on Mount Everest, with some reports saying eight people had died – but Nepalese officials have only been able to confirm that two people died on Mount Everest. Others are still missing.

"Had to escape my tent. There are still others trapped on the mountain.", a climber named Alex Gavan wrote on his Twitter page.

At least 35 people have been killed in India, Indian officials said, and one person has also died in Bangladesh.

There was also damage and casualties in India (Photo: Reuters)

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met his ministers to review the situation. Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has pledged assistance to the Nepalese government.

This is the worst earthquake in Nepal since 1934.

Pham Tien Hoan

(According to BBC)