More than 700 people across four countries have been killed after a powerful 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck Nepal causing massive damage in the capital.
Homes, businesses and landmarks were destroyed when the severe earthquake struck Kathmandu and the densely-populated surrounding areas at noon local time, officials said.
Officials confirmed that 758 people have died, with 181 people killed in the capital, as rescue teams continue to search for survivors who are feared to be trapped under the rubble. Home Ministry official Laxmi Dhakal warned the death toll is almost certain to rise.
Effects of the quake were felt hundreds of miles away in neighbouring countries with 20 killed in India, six in Tibet and two in Bangladesh. Two Chinese citizens died at the Nepal-China border.
The earthquake is also said to have triggered a massive avalanche on Mount Everest killing eight and injuring at least 30. Several groups of climbers were also said to be trapped at Base Camp which was severely damaged.
Panicked residents rushed into the streets as the tremor erupted with the impact felt hundreds of miles away in big swathes of northern India and even in Bangladesh.
Video footage showed people digging through the rubble of the bricks from the collapsed tower, looking for survivors.
Dozens of people were gathered in the car park of Kathmandu's Norvic International Hospital, where thin mattresses had been spread on the ground for patients rushed outside, some patients wearing hospital pyjamas, while doctors and nurses were treating people.
The United States Geological Survey said the quake struck 81 kilometres (50 miles) northwest of Kathmandu at 06.11 GMT, with walls crumbling and families racing outside of their homes. The 7.8 magnitude tremor was the worst to hit the poor South Asian nation in over 80 years.
Television footage showed a huge swathe of houses had collapsed in while roads had been split in two by the force of the impact.
A terrified Kathmandu resident said: 'Everything started shaking. Everything fell down. The walls around the main road have collapsed. The national stadiums gates have collapsed,' Kathmandu resident Anupa Shrestha said.
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