India launches Operation Maitri for relief and rescue work in Nepal

India on Sunday launched ‘Operation Maitri’ to rescue people trapped after massive earthquake of 7.9 magnitude hit Nepal. Rescuers on dug with bare hands and heavy equipment through tonnes of rubble for survivors as toll from the devastating temblor crossed the 2,400-mark in Nepal’s worst quake in over 80 years, with fresh aftershocks triggering panic and hampering relief efforts.

The death toll from the 7.9 magnitude earthquake that struck Nepal on Saturday has risen to more than 2,500. More than 5,000 people have been injured, a city of about 1 million people where many homes are old, poorly built and packed close together. Powerful aftershocks between Kathmandu and Everest unleashed more avalanches in the Himalayas and caused panic in the capital, where hospital workers stretchered patients out into the street as it was too dangerous treat them indoors.