REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, KATHMANDU -- One person died as four aftershocks occurred in Nepal on Sunday, the 16th day since the massive 7.9-magnitude earthquake jolted the country.

The victim, Shankha Bahadur Nagarkoti (72) died while running out of the house as a 4.2-magnitude aftershock rocked Lalitpur in the Kathmandu Valley in the afternoon, according to local police.

Nagarkoti, who was lying in bed inside the house which developed cracks after the April 25 massive earthquake, died as he fell down while running out after experiencing the aftershock, a police spokesperson said.

As of Sunday, more than 8,000 people were killed since the massive quake struck on April 25, with over 17,800 people injured, government statistics showed.

The United States Geological Survey has said aftershocks are normal occurrences after large earthquakes, and are expected to continue in Nepal, but will occur less frequently with time.

Meanwhile a New Zealand engineering team is traveling to Nepal to assess damage caused by the April 25 earthquake, Foreign Minister Murray McCully said Monday.

"The Nepalese government has requested assistance from New Zealand experts with damage assessments of critical public infrastructure, including government buildings and hospitals," McCully said in a statement.

"Four New Zealand engineers, with considerable experience in earthquake strengthening, have volunteered their time and they are en route to Nepal," he said.

"This group of engineers will be in Kathmandu for a week, and, in addition to undertaking damage assessments, they will also help determine whether a larger contingent of 10 to 12 engineers is required," he said.

"This later deployment would be for three months and would focus on assisting with stabilization and retrofitting of damaged buildings."

The New Zealand government had already given 2 million NZ dollars (1.48 million U.S. dollars) in financial assistance to Nepal following the earthquake.

Ikuti Whatsapp Channel Republika