A massive 7.8 magnitude
earthquake struck northwest of Kathmandu, Nepal on April 25, destroying large
swaths of the nation’s capital and the surrounding region. There have been at
least 18 additional aftershocks reported and more than 2,000 reported dead. On
Sunday April 26, a US Air Force C-17 departed from Dover AFB, Del. en route to
Nepal, Pentagon Spokesman Army Col. Steve Warren said in a statement. The C-17
is transporting some 70 personnel, including a USAID Disaster Assistance
Response Team, the Fairfax County Virginia Urban Search and Rescue Team, and
several journalists, with 45 tons of cargo. The C-17 is expected to touch down
in Nepal April 27. As of Sunday, the Department of Defense reported 26 of its
personnel and one C-130 were in Nepal already as part of a previously scheduled
training exercise, and all personnel have been accounted for. On Sunday,
earthquake aftershocks were continuing, the death toll stood at 2,400, and the
number of victims buried under rubble remained unclear, according to
reports
from
Voice of America.
