Death toll from Nepal earthquake rises to nearly 5,500

According to the latest information released by the Nepalese Government, nearly 5,500 people have died and about 11,000 people have been injured.

The death toll from the 7.8 magnitude earthquake in Nepal continues to rise. Rescue operations are being stepped up, with the current priority being to increase sanitation activities to prevent the spread of disease after the earthquake.

Rescue of earthquake survivors (Photo: BBC)

According to the latest information released by the Nepalese Government, more than 5,000 people have died and about 11,000 people have been injured in the earthquake disaster in this country.

“We are still updating the casualty figures from the Emergency Rescue Center. According to the information we have so far, there have been 5,489 deaths and 10,965 injuries as of April 30,” Jung Thapu, a Nepalese military official, told reporters.

The United Nations estimates that the 7.8 magnitude earthquake on April 25 and its aftershocks have affected about 8 million people in Nepal. Rescue efforts are still being stepped up.

On April 30, earthquake rescue forces in Nepal successfully rescued a 15-year-old boy from the rubble of the Hilton Hotel in the capital Kathmandu. The boy had been trapped for 5 days since the earthquake but was still conscious at the time of rescue.

Meanwhile, Kathmandu residents have begun cleaning up solid waste in the capital to avoid the risk of disease and other health hazards. “I am no longer afraid of earthquakes, but I am very afraid of the risk of disease outbreaks. So we have to clean up,” said Janaki, a Kathmandu resident.

According to the Kathmandu Environment Management Authority, about 200 tonnes of garbage were collected yesterday alone. In addition, the city will also use 12,000 litres of phenol chemical for cleaning.

Along with the efforts of the Nepalese people, the international community is continuing its relief operations in Nepal. The Finnish Red Cross said yesterday that it will send a search team and some experts to Nepal to support the rescue operations after the earthquake.

In addition to human resources, Finland will also send to Nepal an X-ray machine, 140 tents and nearly 1,000 kitchen sets. Previously, the Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that the country would support Nepal with 2 million euros, equivalent to more than 2 million USD.

Singapore's Ministry of Defense said it has deployed two C-130 air force aircraft carrying a team of experts, along with relief food and medical equipment to Kathmandu./.

According to VOV