Eyewitness who watched the world crumble

Cork-based oncologist Aileen Flavin describes the moment the earthquake struck in Nepal, and the chaos that ensued as locals and tourists alike struggled to survive in the aftermath of the disaster.

I was one of five cancer specialists in Kathmandu lecturing on a course, ‘Implementing Modern Radiotherapy in Nepal’, when the earthquake struck. I have been involved in teaching the residents in radiation oncology in Nepal since 2009 and this was my fifth trip. Radiotherapy is very basic in Nepal, with most people, if they can afford it, travelling to India for modern treatment.

The course was held on the top floor of the Yellow Pagoda Hotel. Day one had gone very well, with lots of discussion and interaction, and we had a social event with Nepalese colleagues booked in the hotel that evening.