Rescue team from West Bengal rushing to Nepal: CM Mamata Banerjee

KOLKATA: The Nepal government has sought assistance from the West Bengal government following yesterday's devastating earthquake and Bengal is rushing a rescue team to the Himalayan kingdom, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said today.

Banerjee, who was on way to North Bengal told reporters at Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International airport before leaving for Bagdogra at around 12.45 PM, that the purpose of her visit to Siliguri was to assess the damages caused by yesterday's tremors.

North Bengal has been worst affected by yesterday's earthquake accounting for three deaths in Jalpaiguri, Naxalbari and Siliguri. Fifty-five injured have been admitted to the government hospital in Siliguri, Banerjee said.

Banerjee said 31 tourists from Bengal were stranded in Nepal and efforts were on to evacuate them to New Delhi and from there to bring them back to the state.

All fifteen mountaineers from the state who were on Mount Everest were safe, the CM said.

Replying to a question, the CM said the government would take all measures to assist those who had been affected by the quake.

Referring to the fire at a shopping complex in New Market area, Banerjee said she had instructed the Mayor Sovan Chatterjee to take adequate measures.