As Aftershocks Hit Nepal, Death Toll Climbs Past 2,000
A day after a deadly 7.8-magnitude earthquake rattled Nepal, a series of aftershocks hit the South Asian country, more than tripling the initial reported death toll of 700.
On Sunday, Nepal’s Home Ministry said 2,263 had been confirmed dead and 5,800 injured. The U.S. State Department said three Americans had died in the quake, The New York Times reported.
“People here are in a panic, and every aftershock contributes to that. They are not going indoors, they are staying in the roads and in open areas. Many are searching for family members,” Stephen Groves, a resident of Kathmandu, the country’s capital, told the Times.
The government announced plans to set up 16 relief stations to help distribute water, food, and medicine across Kathmandu, where the streets are packed with thousands of residents who have set up camp because their homes were destroyed. Others camped out in schools and government offices. Many feared that the worst aftershocks were yet to come.
In other news...
Hawaiian Bill Could Raise Smoking Age: Lawmakers passed a bill on Friday that positions Hawaii to become the first state to change the legal smoking age to 21. The legal age is 18 in most states. The bill is an effort to manage smoking and continue the state’s efforts in health education. Cigarette smoking is the leading cause of preventable death in the U.S. (via Al Jazeera)
Baltimore Marches for Freddie Gray: An estimated 2,000 people participated in a march through downtown Baltimore on Saturday in protest of the death of Freddie Gray, a black man who died inexplicably while in police custody. After the march reached City Hall, some of the demonstrators threw bottles and metal barricades at police officers. About five officers were injured and 12 people were arrested. Gray’s twin sister urged protesters to stop the violence. (via Al Jazeera)
4 Missing After Boat Capsizes: At least four people were missing Sunday after several boats capsized along the Gulf Coast during a storm, leaving one person dead. The coast guard said it would continue searching through Sunday morning for those who went missing during the 57th Dauphin Island Regatta. (via ABC News)
Brian Williams Investigation: The ongoing in-house investigation into Brian Williams’ past reporting has found at least 10 instances of exaggeration and embellishment. NBC News is expected to decide whether Williams will be reinstated as a news anchor ahead of his suspension deadline in August. (via CNN)
Related stories on TakePart:
• Earthquakes, Tsunamis, Crumbling Glaciers: Disaster Breeds Disaster
• Bringing Home the Lost Children of Nepal
• In Nepal, Free Wi-Fi Everywhere Fosters Connections
Original article from TakePart
