Government officials, diplomats and ordinary people gathered at the
remains of a fallen iconic tower in the Nepalese capital on Sunday to
mark the anniversary of a devastating earthquake that killed thousands
and injured many more in the Himalayan nation. Prime Minister Khadga
Prasad Oli laid a wreath at the ruins of the Dharahara tower in the
heart of Kathmandu. The structure collapsed on April 25 last year,
killing 132 people. "I lost a friend who was working at the top of the
tower on that day. I hope he and others are in a good a place," said Ram
Shrestha. He said that he had just stepped out a few minutes before the
earthquake to go shopping and survived. Madhav Newpane, who runs a shop
near the tower, witness its collapse. He returned on Sunday with a
bouquet of flowers and candles."There were many people killed here on
that day. I will never be able to forget that day," said Newpane.
Buddhist monks also gathered at the Kathmandu Durbar Square to pray for
nearly 9,000 people killed in the earthquake and aftershocks. Nepal is
under criticism for the slow reconstruction of the nearly 1 million
houses despite foreign donors already pledging $4.1 billion in aid.
Millions of people remain homeless. A small group of about 20 protesters
dressed in black took to the streets, chanting slogans criticizing the
slow pace of rebuilding. Police quickly removed their banner but allowed
them to shout anti-government statements.
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