UPDATED: Hundreds die in Nepal earthquake - East Idaho News
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UPDATED: Hundreds die in Nepal earthquake

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KATHMANDU, Nepal (CNN) — More than 1,457 people are confirmed dead following a massive 7.9 earthquake magnitude earthquake that hit the Himalayan nation of Nepal around midday Saturday.

Since the initial earthquake there have been at least 15 aftershocks of 4.5 magnitude and higher in the mountainous Asian nation, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. Many people in Kathmandu are waiting in open spaces outside for fear of more powerful tremors, witnesses said.

Lakshmi Prasad Dhakal, a spokesman for Nepal’s Ministry of Home Affairs, confirmed the rising death toll.

Additionally, there are reports of avalanches in the Mount Everest region. Dawa Stephen Sherpa, who heads one of Nepal’s largest Everest expeditions, reported the landslides. His crew is safe, he said, but the status of other climbers was uncertain.

Check back for updates throughout the day.

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