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[h=4]Major aftershock hits Nepal as search for quake survivors intensifies[/h]The Kathmandu area of Nepal was struck by a magnitude 6.7 aftershock Sunday, just a day after a massive earthquake in the region killed over 2,000 people and devastated a large swathe of the capital city's buildings and infrastructure.
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The death toll is in the thousands following a magnitude-7.8 earthquake in Nepal. The quake also sparked an avalanche at Mount Everest. Rescue workers continue to search for missing and trapped people. Wochit
A man climbs on top of debris after buildings collapsed in Bhaktapur, Nepal.(Photo: Omar Havana, Getty Images)
The Kathmandu area of Nepal was struck by a magnitude-6.7 aftershock Sunday, just a day after a massive earthquake in the region killed over 2,000 people and devastated a large swath of the capital city's buildings and infrastructure.
The U.S. Geological Survey said the aftershock was likely within a radius of 31 miles of Kathmandu. The aftershock sent people in the city running for open ground. It was not clear what damage was sustained.
The aftershock came as rescuers aided by international teams intensified their efforts on Sunday to clear rubble and search for survivors in Nepal after Saturday's magnitude-7.8 earthquake — also centered outside Kathmandu. That quake was the worst to hit the poor South Asian nation in over 80 years.
In that earlier quake, at least 721 people died in Kathmandu alone. Around 5,000 people were injured across the country and among the dead are 17 people who were struck by a quake-triggered avalanche on Mount Everest. Evacuations from the Earth's highest mountain were still ongoing though the first group of survivors from the avalanche arrived in Nepal's capital on Sunday and were taken to hospitals. Tremors from the aftershock were also felt in India.
Laxmi Dhakal, an official from Nepal's Home Ministry, said Sunday that the number of casualties was expected to climb. More than 2,200 people are confirmed dead, according to officials.
City hospitals remained overwhelmed and tens of thousands of people, fearful of aftershocks bringing down more buildings, spent Saturday night outside. The United Nations said emergency supplies were running out, as was space to store corpses.
"Day two is just day as bad as day one — we get the aftershocks every five minutes," said Basanta Adhikari, of Biratnagar, in eastern Nepal.
Adhikari said his uncle was killed in Kathmandu on Saturday near where he was admitting his son to a hospital.
"He was standing at a shop with his friend chatting when the Earth started shaking. He ran out to try to survive but to no avail as a tall house fell on him, and he was buried under the rubble," Adhikari said.
The world reacted quickly to the disaster, offering money, relief materials, equipment, expertise and rescue teams to the country of 28 million people that relies heavily on tourism, principally trekking and Himalayan mountain climbing.
Among the first to move in was Nepal's giant neighbor India, with which it has close political, cultural and religious ties. Indian air force planes landed Sunday with 43 tons of relief material, including tents and food, and nearly 200 rescuers.
The U.S. Mission in Nepal released an initial $1 million for immediate assistance. Australia pledged $5 million in aid. Pakistan, China and Britain said they would assist in the relief effort. On Sunday, a German rescue organization and the French government said they were sending rescue teams to the country. The humanitarian aid group Oxfam said it was sending a team of technical experts from Britain to provide clean water, sanitation and food supplies.
At the Vatican, Pope Francis led prayers for the dead and those injured in the massive earthquake. He called for assistance for survivors, and "all those who are suffering from this calamity," during his weekly Sunday blessing.
Most areas were without power and water Sunday, but Kathmandu airport reopened briefly before closing again due to the aftershock. It has since reopened.
Rescuers were continuing to dig through the rubble of concrete, bricks, wood and iron to hunt for survivors.
In one particularly harrowing incident on Sunday, police in Kathmandu's Kalanki neighborhood were trying to save a man who was trapped under a dead person. His family stood nearby crying and praying.
"We are digging the debris around him, cutting through concrete and iron beams. We will be able to pull him out, but his body under his waist is totally crushed. He is still alive and crying for help. We are going to save him," said police officer Suresh Rai.
Contributing: Naila Inayat in Lahore, Pakistan; Doyle Rice, McLean, Va.; Donna Leinwand Leger and Doug Stanglin in Washington, D.C.; the Associated Press
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