Today marks ten years since the devastating earthquake that struck Nepal in 2015. At 1126hrs on 25 April 2025, a powerful 7.9-magnitude quake shook the region. Its shallow depth of just 8km and an epicenter, 60km northwest of Kathmandu, contributed to the immense destruction. The disaster claimed 8,632 lives and left 19,009 people injured, and nearly 3.5 million people homeless. All this made it the most severe earthquake to hit Nepal in over 80 years.
British Army Gurkhas were deployed to Nepal to support relief and reconstruction efforts, including assistance with immediate rescue and first aid. These efforts were focused on providing welfare support to affected Gurkha families, soldiers, and veterans. The Gurkha Welfare Trust also played a crucial role in providing long-term support and rebuilding homes for those affected.
A team of Gurkhas was attempting to summit Mount Everest as part of our 200th anniversary celebrations. However, their expedition was cut short by the Nepal earthquake, as it triggered a major avalanche on Everest, forcing the team to shift focus to rescue efforts. The team successfully assisted in the rescue of injured climbers and provided relief work in the area after the earthquake. While their initial summit attempt was thwarted, they returned in 2017 and successfully placed nine Gurkhas and four British team members on the summit.
