A year on: Nepalese pay homage to loved ones perished during Earthquake

Hundreds of Nepalese today held memorial services to mark the first anniversary of last year's devastating earthquake that killed nearly 9,000 people, as victims still forced to live in tents accused the government of failing to look after them. Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli laid flowers at the demolished 19th-century Dharahara tower, where people gathered to pay homage to those killed when the 7.9-magnitude temblor struck, after a minute's silence to remember the deceased. Though the quake jolted Nepal on April 25, 2015, the memorials were being held today in its grim reminder as per the Bikram Era calendar. The quake was extremely devastating for the land-locked Himalayan nation, displacing lakhs of families besides putting a huge dent in the country's economy.

Nepalese Prime Minister Khadga Prassad Oli, center, performs a ritual to initiate reconstruction work in Swayambhunath stupa in Kathmandu, Nepal. Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Oli has announced the start of reconstruction of heritage sites in the capital which were heavily damaged.

Nepalese people light up candles in the shape of the Dharahara Tower, center and the Kasthamandap temple, top left, which were destroyed in last year's devastating earthquake at the Basantapur Durbar Square in Kathmandu, Nepal. Nepalese held memorial services to mark the anniversary of the disaster that killed nearly 9,000 people and left millions homeless.

Nepal's Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Oli, second right, stands after laying a wreath at the ruins of the Dharahara tower in the heart of Kathmandu, Nepal, Sunday, April 24, 2016. Government officials, diplomats and ordinary people gathered at the remains of the fallen iconic tower in the Nepalese capital on Sunday to mark the anniversary of a devastating earthquake that killed thousands and injured many more in the Himalayan nation.

A Nepalese boy writes condolence messages as others release balloons in memory of those who died in last year’s devastating earthquake in Kathmandu.

Nepalese people attend a prayer meeting in memory of people who died in earthquake at the Kasthamandap Hindu temple in Kathmandu.

A Nepalese woman walks near a palace building damaged in last year's earthquake which now is supported by wooden logs at the Basantapur Durbar Square in Kathmandu.

Nepalese protestors shout slogans against the government as they are stopped by police on the first anniversary of the devastating earthquake in Kathmandu, Nepal. About 100 protesters scuffled with riot police outside the prime minister's office demonstrating against the slow reconstruction of the homes. More than 600,000 homes were destroyed and around 185,000 damaged in the quake.

Volunteers hold a wreath as they await the arrival of Nepal's Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Oli, at the ruins of the Dharahara tower in the heart of Kathmandu, Nepal.

Nepalese people stand near a damaged heritage building as they prepare to light candles in memory of those who died in the devastating earthquake in Basantapur Durbar Square in Kathmandu, Nepal.

A monk looks at the reconstruction work at the Boudhanath Stupa which was damaged at the earthquake in Kathmandu. Nepal's Prime Minister has announced the start of reconstruction of heritage sites in the capital that were damaged.

Mahesh Lamichane, 24, who lost his leg in the disaster does physiotherapy in a rehabilitation center in Kathmandu.

Earthquake victims' camps are seen in Chuchepati, Kathmandu, Nepal.

Nepalese people release balloons in memory of those who died in the tragedy in Kathmandu.