More than 1,000 people have been killed in Nepal’s deadliest earthquake for more than 80 years, police say.
The 7.8 magnitude quake struck an area of central Nepal between the capital, Kathmandu, and the city of Pokhara.
There were also victims in India, Bangladesh, Tibet and on Mount Everest, where avalanches were triggered.
The government has declared a state of emergency in the affected areas, and help has been offered by countries around the world.
Little information has emerged from the epicentre, where extensive damage has been reported, and there are fears the death toll could rise yet further.
Thousands of people are spending the night outside their houses, following a series of aftershocks.
The US has said it is sending a disaster response team to Nepal and has released an initial $1m (£0.7m) to address immediate needs, according to the US aid agency USAid.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has sent a military transport plane with three tonnes of supplies and a 40-strong disaster response team to Nepal. Officials said three more planes would follow, carrying a mobile hospital and further relief teams.
Pakistan’s Prime Minister, Nawaz Sharif, has pledged help for the Nepalese authorities.
UK Prime Minister David Cameron has said the UK “will do all” it can to help in the aftermath of the earthquake, and French President Francois Hollande said France was ready to respond to any request for aid and assistance.
A national police spokesman told the BBC that more than 1,150 people had died in the quake. BBC
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