Two feared missing in Nepal disaster are safe

Two men from the Fylde coast who were feared missing after a devastating earthquake in Nepal have both confirmed they are safe.

Mike Russell, 42, from St Annes. was in the Asian country when a massive earthquake measuring 7.8 on the richter scale hit on Saturday.

He was named on a Red Cross list of British and Irish nationals feared missing following the diseaster.

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Nigel Russell, Mr Russell’s older brother, said he had grave fears for his sibling’s safety after hearing nothing 36 hours after the incident, but said his family was given the news they had prayed for on Sunday morning.

Mr Russell, speaking at the family home in Caryl Road, St Annes, added: “We are relieved. We are glad and just so, so relieved.

Meanwhile, Kirkham man Sam Stalker, 25, was on a trek with his schoolfriend Jonathan Blott, from Preston, and their two girlfriends when tragedy struck on Saturday.

His mum Freda Stalker has spent two days waiting for any news before she received a text message from Sam on Monday morning to say they are all safe.

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More than 3,700 people are known to have died while a further 6,500 people have been injured after the incident, which happened 80km to the north west of Nepal’s capital Kathmandu.

For more on this story, see Tuesday’s Gazette

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