Magnitude-7.9 quake hits Nepal; heavy damage
KATHMANDU - A strong magnitude-7.9 earthquake hit near Nepal's capital of Kathmandu before noon Saturday, causing extensive damage with toppled walls and collapsed buildings, officials said.
Nepal's Information Minister Minendra Rijal told India's NDTV station that there are reports of damage in and around Kathmandu but no immediate word on casualties. He said rescue teams were on the scene.
The epicenter was 80 kilometers (49 mile) northwest of Kathmandu, he said. The Kathmandu Valley is densely populated with nearly 2.5 million, with the quality of buildings often poor.
