Patan durbar square historic infrastructure in Kathmandu, Nepal greatly damaged due to the 7.8 magnitude earthquake. Image by Sumit Shrestha. Copyright Demotix (25/4/2015) An overwhelmed Nepali government has declared a state of emergency appealing to the international community following a massive 7.8 earthquake, which struck close to noon on April 25, between Nepal's key cities of Kathmandu and Pokhara, resulting in more than 1,800 deaths. In the midst of this crisis, people are using tools like Google Person Finder and Facebook Safety Check to find loved ones. Google Person Finder launched in 2010 in response to the earthquake in Haiti and helps people find each other in the aftermath of a disaster, by downloading or uploading data from the site. Use @google ‘s “Person Finder” help those affected by #NepalQuake http://t.co/lrgqmUD8px pic.twitter.com/9cNdp6MZ9o #Kathmandu — Kristina Dei (@2kdei) April 25, 2015 Facebook users have also been using the site's newly launched Safety Check tool, where you can mark yourself or a friend in the disaster area as ‘safe’. These are particularly helpful against the distressing images that have been shared online. With phone lines and cell towers down, people are also trying to contact loved ones through the Internet. #earthquake Mobile phone services affected across Nepal — Times of India (@timesofindia) April 25, 2015 Everyone trying to call #Nepal, please use Viber, WhatsApp and Text Messages. Calling landline is creating congestion, not helpful. — Anup Kaphle (@AnupKaphle) April 25, 2015 Three people you must follow for #Nepal quake updates from the ground in Kathmandu — @kundadixit, @KanakManiDixit and @kashishds. — Anup Kaphle (@AnupKaphle) April 25, 2015 Only Krishna Mandir and Taleju Temple left standing in Patan Square. Image by Kunda Dixit. Used with permission Many are relying on social media sites for changes on the ground. Nepali immigrants are glued to FB for news of loved ones in Jackson Heights, Queens, one of fastest growing diaspora communities. — Benjamin Mueller (@benjmueller) April 25, 2015 This is when you realize the importance of twitter! When you are far away and you get the information needed! #EarthquakeNepal — Pallavi Dhakal (@PallaviDhakal) April 25, 2015 Kathmandu’s Patan Durbar Square before and after the #NepalEarthquake pic.twitter.com/KoYNXAjAOr — CCTVNEWS (@cctvnews) April 25, 2015 #Nepalquake: Buildings collapsed, hundreds feared trapped and injured, phone networks affected. Our team is on standby and ready to assist. — UN OCHA Asia Pacific (@OCHAAsiaPac) April 25, 2015 BASANTAPUR DURBAR SQUARE IS GONE!!! pic.twitter.com/HnauT0fDia — Kashish Das Shrestha (@kashishds) April 25, 2015 massive damage #earthquakenepal pic.twitter.com/XAN6njWC0N — Achyut Luitel (@achyutluitel) April 25, 2015 Hunkered down in Lobouche, some building damage #earthquake #Everest #NepalQuake pic.twitter.com/WKZF1pJmup — David Arvan (@threadalist) April 25, 2015 The historic tower of Kathmandu, which people use to climb to catch a glimpse of the magnificent city, is gone. Dharara was seen by my grandfather minutes after it fell in 1934. Today was my turn to see the rebuilt Dharara fall. pic.twitter.com/QWbcJYOgSY — Kanak Mani Dixit (@KanakManiDixit) April 25, 2015 In the midst of this destruction, hospitals in the capital Kathmandu have been declared inundated. Many are being treated outside. TU teaching hospital. #Earthquake injured are getting treatment on open space. Tents are urgent need. pic.twitter.com/Dp2fswi051 — Dipak Bhattarai (@dipakbhattarai) April 25, 2015 The magnitude 7.8 earthquake has caused loss of life in India, Bangladesh and Tibet as well. People are being rescued from under collapsed buildings. The earthquake also affected the base camp at Mount Everest, where it triggered an avalanche. Incredible @epaphotos image of man trapped by #NepalQuake upto his chest. And he's one of the lucky ones! #Nepal pic.twitter.com/jDBwWvomzv — Jon Williams (@WilliamsJon) April 25, 2015 The earthquake triggered a wave of fear in the region and as per latest reports 54 people died across the border in Bihar, West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh in India. Three people have died in three districts of Bangladesh as tremors jolted the country. According to some reports, this was a shallow earthquake, making it prone to the terrifying shaking that was felt by all in the region. It is feared that given the nature of the earthquake, and the flimsy state of many buildings in the capital, mainly the older ones, it will not take much for a slight aftershock to result in further destruction and deaths.