Australian connections to Nepal quake

WHAT AUSTRALIANS ARE FACING

SCALE OF DISASTER

* Worst disaster involving Australians since MH17

* Worst earthquake in Nepal in 81 years, deadliest in Everest's history

* Saturday quake was 7.8 magnitude; major aftershock on Sunday hit 6.7; aftershocks continue

TOLL

* Overall death toll passes 3,600

* More than 6,500 injured

* 90 dead in neighbouring countries

AUSTRALIANS IN NEPAL

* Australian woman, Renu Fotedar, killed in avalanche at Everest base camp

* About 200 believed missing but number still to be confirmed

* More than 830 confirmed safe

* 549 registered Australian travellers in Nepal

AUSTRALIAN CLIMBERS:

* Zachary Sheridan, 20, was on Mt Everest and is missing.

* Queenslander Alyssa Azar, 18, attempting to become the youngest Australian to climb Everest, is safe.

GOVERNMENT RESPONSE

* DFAT crisis team deployed to Nepal to assist Australians and trace the missing

* Australia sending $5 million in humanitarian assistance to Nepal, including 500,000 for the Red Cross

COMMUNICATIONS:

* Damaged or congested. Families face long wait for news and difficulty making contact.

FROM MT EVEREST:

* "I have lost four team members in the avalanche - two Nepalis, one Chinese and Australian." - Temba Tsheri, a sherpa from the Dreamers' Destination Treks and Expeditions.

FROM KATHMANDU:

* "Tragically, more bodies are being pulled from collapsed buildings every hour." - Australian Red Cross.

HILLARY CONNECTION:

* Sir Edmund Hillary's son Peter was trekking on Mt Everest with a group of New Zealanders but is safe.