Nepal unrest death toll rises to 72, new leader sworn in

Authorities in Nepal have raised the death toll from last week’s anti-corruption unrest to 72 after search teams recovered more bodies from government offices, homes, and shops set ablaze during protests, the Health Ministry said on Sunday.

The violence, the deadliest in the Himalayan nation for decades, saw mainly young Nepalis take to the streets of Kathmandu and other cities early last week. Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli resigned on Tuesday after state buildings including the Supreme Court, parliament, police posts, and politicians’ homes were torched.

Security forces responded with tear gas and rubber bullets. The ministry said at least 2,113 people have been injured. “Bodies of many people who died in shopping malls, houses and other buildings that were set on fire or attacked are now being discovered,” spokesperson Prakash Budathoki said.

Former Chief Justice Sushila Karki was sworn in on Sunday as interim prime minister, becoming the first woman to lead Nepal. She has been tasked with holding parliamentary elections on 5 March.

Karki promised compensation of 1 million rupees (about $7,100) to the families of those killed and pledged free medical treatment for the injured. She began work in an office near the prime minister’s headquarters, itself set on fire during the unrest.

“We must now engage in rebuilding the destroyed structures,” she told senior officials, according to state television.

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