All South Africans in Nepal during Saturday’s devastating earthquake have been accounted for, the department of international relations and so-operation said.

”They are all accounted for and safe,” said Dirco spokesperson Clayson Monyela.

”We are in touch with local authorities and so far there was nobody near the quake,” he said.

Chairperson of the national committee of the Mountain Club of SA, Brian Lambourne, said he had not yet received any news of South Africans adversely affected and to his knowledge there were no large expeditions from the country heading up the popular Mount Everest.

The 7.9 magnitude earthquake reportedly ripped through large parts of Nepal, setting off an avalanche at Mount Everest and its base camp, where climbers and support teams set up camp.

The epicentre was believed to be about 80km outside Kathmandu, according to the Associated Press.

Latest reports put the death toll at over 2000.

In 1996 Ian Woodall and Cathy O’Dowd made the first ”official” summit by South Africans and in March 2003, Sibusiso Vilane became the first black African to conquer the mountain.

Concerned families or friends who may be battling to contact a South African in Nepal can contact Dirco on 011-351-1000. News24