688 people have died in the massive earthquake

KATHMANDU, Nepal (AP) — A top Nepalese official says at least 688 people have died in the massive earthquake that struck outside Kathmandu.

Home Ministry official Laxmi Dhakal says that the death toll is almost certain to rise following Saturday's quake.

The quake with a preliminary magnitude of 7.8 struck before noon and was most severely felt in the capital as well as the densely populated Kathmandu Valley. A magnitude-6.6 aftershock hit about an hour later, and smaller aftershocks continued to ripple through the region for hours.