Two Huntsville women who were in Nepal to climb Mount Everest are safe after a deadly earthquake hit just outside of Kathmandu on Saturday.
Brandy Van Gelder and Kelly Hammond arrived in Kathmandu on Friday for the Everest Trek 2015. They were in the Nepal capital when a 7.8 magnitude earthquake hit the country.
Hammond’s mother-in-law, Margaret Hammond, says both women were in a marketplace when the quake hit and are doing “okay”. She says Hammond was struck by falling debris and received minor injuries.
Prime Minister Harper says Canadian diplomats in earthquake ravaged Nepal are working with local authorities to account for Canadians who were in the Asian country.
Harper issued a statement offering his condolences to the people of Nepal who are trying to cope with the aftermath of the 7.8 magnitude quake that shook the country on Saturday.
He says Canadian diplomats are also assessing Nepal's needs to determine if Canada can provide disaster assistance.
Foreign Affairs says there are 388 Canadians registered as being in Nepal, but cautions that's only an estimate as registration is voluntary.
The death toll in Nepal, India and Bangladesh is pegged at nearly 1,200.
