Hundreds of bodies were trapped in collapsed buildings with rescue services racing against the clock to dig them out.

The earthquake toppled buildings and flattened neighbourhoods across the nation's coffee-growing heartland.

Churches were destroyed among other buildings.

Blood and medical supplies were rushed to hospitals in the disaster zone to treat the wounded.

Emergency teams were struggling to cope with the huge number of casualties.

Thousands of people have been left homeless, with their possessions destroyed.