Bangladeshis in Nepal safe

No Bangladeshi nationals visiting or staying in Nepal have been reported to be injured in yesterday's major earthquake, says a press release signed by Nripendra Chandra Debnath, director (media) of external publicity wing of the foreign ministry. 

The Bangladesh ambassador to Nepal said all the Bangladeshis her office could reach till 9:00pm yesterday were safe.

"I have not heard about any casualties of Bangladeshis far. But the mobile phone networks are down in many areas, so we could not reach many of them," Ambassador Mashfee Binte Shams told The Daily Star last evening. 

"Members of Bangladesh under-14 football team are doing well at their hotel. A government delegation and a group of army officers are also visiting Kathmandu at the moment and they are also safe and sound," she said. 

There are many Bangladeshi tourists visiting Kathmandu and other places in Nepal. The ambassador, however, could not confirm their status immediately. 

The embassy has opened two help desks in this emergency situation in Nepal and embassy officials could be reached at +977 9808 184014 and +9779808 765071 for necessary information, diplomatic sources said.   

Meanwhile, the Bangladesh government is sending humanitarian assistance including medical teams and medicine to Nepal in the wake of the quake, according to another press release issued by the foreign ministry last evening. 

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has conveyed her deep condolences and sympathy to her Nepalese counterpart on this tragedy, says the release.