A Perth restaurateur has spoken of his shock at the death of two young relatives in the Nepalese earthquake.
Bhola Khanal said the victims a five-year-old and a seven-year-old were part of his sister’s wider family and died when a building collapsed.
“When I heard the news, it was very shocking,” he added.
Mr Khanal, who manages the Everest Inn on South Methven Street, spent an anxious day waiting for news of his immediate family when he first heard of the disaster as there was no phone connection.
Eventually his two brothers were able to phone and relay the situation.
Many houses of his friends and relatives have been destroyed and damaged and Mr Khanal says the conditions are desperate.
“They have no drinking water, no electricity,” said Mr Khanal, 50, who has lived in Perth for 17 years.
He said there had been heavy rain since the disaster, adding to the problems for those now living in tents.
“They need engineers and doctors,” he said.
A meeting was held last night and plans were drawn up for Perth’s tiny Nepalese community around 15 to 20 people to hold fundraisers to assist the earthquake victims.
The staff at the South Methven Street restaurant will be donating their tips and a collection will be held in the city centre. Anyone who could assist with the collection by lending high visibility jackets can contact Mr Khanal at ramkot7@gmail.com.