Monster earthquake again strikes Nepal

A magnitude-7.3 earthquake has struck Nepal, killing at least 24 people and injuring at least 300.

The quake reportedly struck 19km underground about 12:30pm local time on Tuesday, with an epicentre 68km west of the town of Namche Bazar, close to Mount Everest base camp.

At least four from Chautara, in the Sindhupalchowk district in Kathmandu's outskirts, are confirmed dead as a result of building collapses, while Nepalese police report at least 300 are injured.

Two are reported dead in the Indian state of Bihar, which borders Nepal, according to Indian state officials.

Kathmandu's Sindhupalchowk district is the region that suffered the most casualties as a result of the recent 7.8-magnitude earthquake that devastated the Himalayan country.

Three aftershocks measuring magnitude-6.2, 5.6 and 5.5 struck after the initial shock, according to the US Geological Survey.

Flights in and out of Kathmandu International Airport were halted, although the airport has since reportedly reopened.

A 63-year-old Kathmandu resident, Suresh Sharma, told AFP people rushed out of their homes after the first shock hit.

"We felt it and suddenly there were huge crowds running up and down," Mr Sharma said.

"It was very scary and very difficult to make my way out.

"The last time we had the big quake I ran out of my house and barely escaped. This one felt just like that one. I can't believe it's happening again."

Bikash Suwal, a trekking guide in Kathmandu, described how he and other colleagues fled the fourth floor of their building when it began to shake.

"We are scared as hell, but right now it was not so very powerful like before," Mr Suwal told The New York Times.

"Everybody is staying outside."

Mr Suwal said mobile phone calls to the Namche Bazar area were not going through.

Tremors were felt as far away as Tibet, Bangladesh and the Indian capital New Delhi, causing buildings to sway for more than a minute and thousands to be evacuated from office buildings.

Olle Castell, a relief worker based in the Nepalese capital Kathmandu, described the latest earthquake as "distressing".

"It was a strong shock, it lasted 20-30 seconds and now everyone is very worried," Mr Castell told Sky News.

"It is very disturbing for all of us."

The latest earthquake comes just weeks after a magnitude-7.8 quake rocked the Himalayan nation, killing over 8000 and leaving hundreds of thousands homeless.