Image via Twitter
A 7.8 Magnitude earthquake struck Nepal early Saturday, with the epicenter less than 50 miles from the capital of Kathmandu, CNN reported. At least 1,457 people are dead according to Nepal's Ministry of Home Affairs and that number is expected to rise.
Chaos descended upon Kathmandu, as residents of the city of 1 million were jolted by a series of aftershocks. Historic buildings lay in ruins, and injured were treated outside of hospitals.
CNN's Manesh Shrestha, in need of stitches, was actually turned away from a hospital because there were others with more severe injuries.
"It's quite chaotic," he said by phone to CNN. "People are wailing, crying."
Aid agencies are concerned about what survivors, especially children, will face in the next few days, as overnight temperatures fall, and there is no electricity, running water, and shelter.
"With every minute the situation becomes worse," said Devendra Tak, of the aid agency Save the Children to CNN. "Tonight is going to be a very tough night out there for people in Kathmandu and for people in the surrounding villages."
Tak emphasized the need for food, clothing and medicine.
The quake also caused avalanches at nearby Mount Everest, causing mountaineers to seek cover. The Guardian reported at least 13 dead and many injured on the mountain.
"Everest base camp huge earthquake then huge avalanche from pumori," Alex Gavan posted to Twitter. "Running for life from my tent. Unhurt. Many many people up the mountain."
The chaos in Kathmandu was captured in amateur video and posted to Youtube:
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