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Nepal Quake Death Toll Could Reach 10,000

Nepal's prime minister has warned his country is on a "war footing" as he said the death toll from the devastating earthquake could reach 10,000.

Sushil Koirala declared three days of national mourning for the victims of the 7.8-magnitude earthquake, which struck on Saturday.

Officials have said that at least 5,057 people were killed in the disaster, and more than 8,000 were injured.

Britain's Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond said the Foreign Office was investigating unconfirmed reports that a British national living outside the UK was killed by the earthquake.

A fresh avalanche in Rasuwa district, north of the capital Kathmandu, on Tuesday has also left another 250 people missing.

Aid workers have called for food and medicine to be sent to dozens of villages cut off by landslides as public anger at the Nepalese government's slow response has increased.

Mr Koirala said: "It is a challenge and a very difficult hour for Nepal. The government is doing all it can for rescue and relief on a war footing.

"The death toll could go up to 10,000 because information from remote villages hit by the earthquake is yet to come in."

The British government has provided £5m in aid as part of a growing international effort to reach remote mountain villages, restore power and water supplies and provide medical assistance.

Aid has begun arriving in Nepal, but it has been slowed because aftershocks have periodically closed the airport.

The powerful earthquake also triggered a huge avalanche on Mount Everest, which killed at least 18 climbers and guides - including four foreigners.

All of the climbers who had been stranded at camps on the mountain have since been helicoptered to safety.

Elsewhere, thousands of people have been sleeping on pavements, roads and in parks in often makeshift tents because of the fear of collapsing buildings.

Many have no access to clean water or sanitation more than three days after the quake.

Drone footage has emerged showing the extent of the destruction, which has caused ancient monuments to collapse along with homes.

It comes as the UK's Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) launched an appeal to provide emergency aid to those affected.

The committee, which brings together 13 leading UK charities including the British Red Cross and Oxfam, has said 5.3 million people in the country have been affected by the quake which has left many thousands homeless.

The search for missing British citizens continues, although officials have warned it could be some time before contact is made.

:: The Foreign Office has advised that any British Nationals in need of consular assistance should call +44 (0) 207 008 0000 or text NEPAL to +447860010026.