Utah's Tibetan community prays for those affected by Nepal quake


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SALT LAKE CITY — A chorus of steady prayers arose in a tiny but colorful Tibetan temple in downtown Salt Lake City on Sunday, where young children, mothers and grandfathers came together to plead for solace and relief for Nepal's earthquake victims.

Among those weathering the aftermath of the 7.8-magnitude tremblor are Tsewang Rabga's mother, brother and sister-in-law.

The Salt Lake man said his mother was knocked to the ground and injured her knees in the earthquake, and while he was able to hear briefly from her immediately after it happened, there's been nothing but silence since.

"I'm still uncertain how they are. It is cold and windy there and I've heard nothing," he said.

His family lives in an area outside of Katmandu, which saw its historic district razed and sacred temples demolished.

One of the elder members of Utah's Tibetan community was visibly distraught over the destruction of irreplaceable religious sites, conveying through an interpreter that their loss is unfathomable.

Pema Chagzoetsang came to offer her prayers of support and comfort for the Nepalese earthquake victims, adding the loss of life and property is tragic.

"The least we can do is pray for them," she said.

On Sunday, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints released a statement.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with all those in Nepal impacted by Saturday’s earthquake and particularly those who have lost loved ones," church spokesman Eric Hawkins said, adding that the humanitarian arm of the church is determining how it can best help.


Our thoughts and prayers are with all those in Nepal impacted by Saturday's earthquake and particularly those who have lost loved ones.

–Eric Hawkins, LDS Church spokesman


Hawkins said one senior missionary couple is serving in the area and they are safe.

In Utah County, Kevin Warner is fervently hoping for the best for his good friend, Randall Ercanbrack, and his daughter, Haley Ercanbrack.

The two are among an estimated 100 climbers stranded in two separate camps on Mount Everest, where at least 17 people have been killed and dozens more are injured or missing in an avalanche that was triggered by the earthquake.

Three Americans, including Google executive Dan Fredinburg, were confirmed dead Saturday.

Warner said he knows his friend, a Utah County fruit farmer, is doing whatever he can to help others.

"I know he quickly turned from mountain climber to relentless rescuer," he said.

This Mount Everest excursion is the third for Ercanbrack and the second for him and his daughter, according to Warner.

"It has got to be killing him to be away from his daughter," Warner said, but stressed that Ercanbrack's experience as an orchard farmer in Utah is serving him well.

"You never know what you are going to get and you just deal with it," he said. "I have every bit of confidence he will know what he can and cannot do."

Warner has been turning to Seattle-based Madison Mountaineering for updates on Ercanbrack and his daughter, who are part of that team's expedition.

Madison Mountaineering reported it had lost one of its own, the team's camp doctor Marisa Eve Girawong, who died from a head injury.

Survivors are running low on food, fuel and medical supplies and the avalanche has eliminated any path or route through the Khumbu icefall. The only path to safety is evacuation by helicopter.

Mountain rescue helicopters have been ferrying out the badly injured to a nearby village, but the Nepal Mountaineering Association was reporting efforts were being hampered by bad weather and poor communication.

Contributing: Sandra Yi

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