Over 1000 Dead in Massive Earthquake in Nepal

Update 12:15 p.m.: Nepal Police continue to update their count, and at last update, they said 1344 people had been found dead with 4423 injured.

Original Story:

A huge earthquake struck in Nepal on Saturday, devastating the country and causing mass deaths.

The earthquake measured at 7.8 on the Richter scale and struck 77 km northwest of Kathmandu in Nepal, also shaking parts of India and Bangladesh. To put the magnitude of the earthquake in perspective, the catastrophic earthquake that struck Haiti in 2010 was measured at 7.0 on the Richter scale. Due to the logarithmic nature of the scale, this 7.8 magnitude earthquake is over 15 times stronger in energy release than the 7.0 Haiti earthquake.

We are in the process of finding more information and are working to reach out to those affected, both at home & in Nepal.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 25, 2015

The destruction to Nepal is significant, with widespread damage and continued aftershocks. "We are still experiencing aftershocks,” said World Vision Nepal national director Liz Satow. “People are staying outside buildings to be safe during the aftershocks." Buildings are collapsed with hundreds feared trapped and injured. The area is also experiencing phone network problems, limited Internet, and power outages. The historic Dharahara Tower has also collapsed.

Going to be a long nervous night. Many people sleeping out in parks, even roundabouts. #NepalEarthquake #Nepal

— Katrina Mathers (@katminsky) April 25, 2015

Currently, Nepal Police are reporting 970 dead in the earthquake, but counts are still rising.

According to the U.S. Geological Survey, large earthquakes in that area are rare, with only four earthquakes of 6.0 or larger that have struck in that area over the past 100 years.

@earthquakenepal #earthquake We're fine but twas pretty crazy for 45 secs there. Kathmandu. Still small aftershocks. pic.twitter.com/noIfqNFEDI

— Katrina Mathers (@katminsky) April 25, 2015

Raining rocks on the #NepalChineseBorder #Earthquake #Nepal we are safe pic.twitter.com/yRFbB2NQS4

— Ronald Brouwer (@2globetrotters) April 25, 2015

Many photos I tried to take on the home we're too blury. Too dark. #nepal #earthquake pic.twitter.com/foCVAjTWkQ

— Katrina Mathers (@katminsky) April 25, 2015