( CNN ) Panic . Tears . Fear . All those feelings and more permeated cities , villages and camps around Nepal on Saturday , after a massive 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck around midday . Hours later , after a wave of relentless aftershocks , many people still were too scared to go back inside any buildings . Others crowded around rubble , including men and women racing to rescue those trapped . And then there are the hundreds already confirmed dead , not to mention the hundreds more who suffered injuries . Below are some accounts from witnesses in the mountainous Asian nation , in their own words . Fast Facts : Earthquakes . Anderson , an American who was in Nepal for trekking and meditation , was in his hotel room when the quake struck . `` I went outside five minutes after the major tremors stopped . I went to a parking lot nearby for one hour or so , then walked down the main road , '' he said . He took a series of photos on the main road between Thamal and Durbar Squares , that he shared via CNN iReport . Kumar posted a photo of people in his neighborhood sheltering in a makeshift tent after the quake . He sent updates via Twitter about what he was seeing in the Lalitpur District of Kathmandu . `` It 's getting dark , no power and no water supply in Lalitpur area , but people are helping each other with food and other items . `` Almost everyone staying outside home ... Hard time for small kids & older people . `` People are very worried & are planning to stay out on the street overnight , but they lack sufficient food & water . '' Joshi is a UNICEF communication officer who was on the ground at the time of the quake . `` The shake was like nothing I have experienced in my 57 years . It was strong and it shook for a long time . '' Old monuments and temples fell , Joshi wrote of his experience . There were fears that other buildings would collapse . `` When I went out in the evening , I saw many people preparing to camp out in the main open parade ground in the middle of the street . Relatives were crying in the main government hospital where the dead were being lined up in front of the hospital building . `` My family is traumatised . We are 5 generations living under one roof -- from a 100 year old grandmother to my 16 month old granddaughter . Strong aftershocks are keeping most of us up ! '' `` Some of the historical sites are completely devastated . `` Most of the people -- a lot of the people -- are walking through the city . They 're confused and scared . A lot of people are crying . `` They 're out with their pets and their families and a lot of locals are volunteering in rescue operations . `` In several parts of Kathmandu , a lot of people seem trapped under the rubble . Locals are trying to rescue these people because they can still hear them . '' Are you in Nepal or have loved ones affected ? Please share with us if you are in a safe place . `` We are scared and waiting for the tremors to end . We are all sitting outside because there is more news of another quake . `` There is no power and families are listening to the FM radio inside their cars . News of multiple building collapses . `` I 've seen many cracked walls and roads and buildings . `` The Dharahara was packed with people a while ago . There are police everywhere trying to move rubble to make space on the roads for ambulances . Everyone is very scared. `` `` I see many cracked buildings and people are panicked and all running down to the streets . `` The main landmark in Kathmandu is a spire , Dharahara , and it has fallen down , it is about 140 feet high in the center city . `` Another aftershock is hitting now , it is really strong . `` Airplanes are circling now overhead and helicopters are flying and not clear if the airport is open . We hear it is damaged . '' How are earthquakes measured ? `` Many historic buildings have collapsed in the city . `` In all my years I have never seen such a big earthquake here . `` There are sometimes small shaking , sometimes bigger but this is the worst and my home has been cracked and it is a relatively strong house . '' `` Around where I am , people are in open spaces . There have been several aftershocks , I think they 're all waiting , hoping they know what to do . `` You can see glass walls , portions of buildings and cracks in the building . People are confused . they 're staying out in the open . '' Can wild animals help us predict earthquakes ? CNN 's Mariano Castillo , Henry Hanks and Greg Botelho contributed to this report .
Massive 7.8 magnitude earthquake has struck Nepal near its capital , Kathmandu . The epicentre is in the south of the country and it was felt as far away as India.