Massive earthquake leaves Nepal in ruins

Apowerful earthquake struck Nepal and sent tremors through northern India yesterday, killing more than 1 341 people and touching off a deadly avalanche on Mount Everest.

There were reports of devastation in outlying, isolated mountainous areas after a midday earthquake measuring 7.9 on the Richter scale, Nepal’s worst in 81 years, centred between the capital, Kathmandu, and Pokhara.

South African mountaineer Lysle Turner (24) was at the base camp on Mount Everest when the quake struck, and helped search for the bodies of fellow climbers who were buried under the snow and ice.