Nepal earthquake: Gorkhas fly out to stricken region as part of UK aid mission amid UN warnings eight million may be affected

More than 4,300 people have reportedly died following earthquake

Checking the supplies before they fly out to Nepal (AFP)

A team of 15 Ghorkhas have been deployed as part of the UK government’s aid mission to Nepal, struck by a devastating earthquake on Saturday.

In the days following the 7.9 quake the situation in the mountainous region has worsened: the United Nations estimates that as many as eight million people could be affected, with Nepalese police authorities saying that more than 4,300 bodies have already been pulled from the rubble.

The RAF C-17 plane, part of the UK’s £5 million emergency response package to Nepal, appeared to depart early this morning.

A Department of International Development confirmed the flight’s departure to The Independent, adding that the plane carried 1,100 emergency shelter kits as well as 1,700 solar lanterns for families camping outside.

Thousands have taken to sleeping in roughly 16 makeshift camps outside capital city Kathmandu amid fears of aftershocks.

A further flight is expected to leave the UK later today, carrying more supplies.