Villagers Begin Grim Task Of Cremations

November 5, 2023 7:00 am

KATHMANDU, Nepal (AP) — Villagers in the mountains of northwest Nepal have cremated the bodies of some who perished in an earthquake that shook the area Friday night. The strong tremblor killed 157 people and left thousands homeless. The 13 bodies were carried on Sunday to the banks of the Bheri River and placed on pyres made of stacked wood before being set on fire in a Hindu cremation ceremony. All 13 were from Chiuri village in Jajarkot district, which authorities said was the epicenter of the quake. The government said its main focus is to supply food and set up temporary shelters for the thousands who spent Saturday night in the bitter cold.