A 7.8 magnitude earthquake hit Nepal just before noon local time today, killing a minimum of a thousand people and leveling historic buildings. The death toll is expected to rise, and aftershocks have been measured as high as 6.6 on the Richter scale.

The magnitude 7.8 earthquake, which originated outside the capital Kathmandu, was the worst tremor to hit the poor South Asian nation in over 80 years. It was so powerful that it was felt all across the northern part of neighboring India, Bangladesh, Tibet and Pakistan where a total of 50 people died. The death toll in Nepal was 1,130, but it is almost certain to rise, said deputy Inspector General of Police Komal Singh Bam.