Flowers and frustration as Nepal remembers 9,000 victims of earthquake

Hundreds of people gathered at the remains of a fallen iconic tower in the Nepalese capital on Sunday to mark the anniversary of a devastating earthquake that killed thousands. Prime minister Khadga Prasad Oli laid a wreath at the ruins of the Dharahara tower, where 132 people died when it collapsed on April 25 last year. Madhav Newpane, who runs a shop near the tower and saw its collapse, returned on Sunday with a bouquet of flowers and candles. "There were many people killed here on that day. I will never be able to forget that day,“ he said.

I lost a friend who was working at the top of the tower on that day. I hope he and others are in a good a place

Ram Shrestha, who survived when he stepped out of the tower to go shopping

Buddhist monks also gathered at the Kathmandu Durbar Square to pray for nearly 9,000 people killed in the earthquake and aftershocks. Nepal is under criticism for the slow reconstruction of the nearly 1 million houses despite foreign donors already pledging $4.1 billion in aid. Millions of people remain homeless. A small group of about 20 protesters dressed in black took to the streets, chanting slogans criticising the slow pace of rebuilding. Police quickly removed their banner but allowed them to shout anti-government statements.

They have to remember those who died, but first they have to remember us survivors and come here to help us. If our government cared, we would not be living like this after a year.

Laxmi Nyapit, whose home was destroyed

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