Nepal marks anniversary of devastating earthquake

Nepalese people release balloons in memory of those who died in last year’s devastating earthquake in Kathmandu, Nepal, Saturday, April 23, 2016. The April 25, 2015, earthquake, killed nearly 9,000 people. (AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha) (The Associated Press)

A Nepalese boy writes condolence messages as others release balloons in memory of those who died in last year’s devastating earthquake in Kathmandu, Nepal, Saturday, April 23, 2016. The April 25, 2015, earthquake, killed nearly 9,000 people. (AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha) (The Associated Press)

Government officials, diplomats and ordinary people are gathered at the remains of a fallen iconic tower in the Nepalese capital to mark the anniversary of a devastating earthquake that killed thousands and injured many more in the Himalayan nation.

Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Oli laid a wreath at the ruins of the Dharahara tower in the heart of Kathmandu on Sunday. The structure collapsed on April 25 last year, killing 132 people. Buddhist monks also gathered at the Kathmandu Durbar Square to pray for nearly 9,000 people killed in the earthquake and aftershocks.

Nepal is under criticism for the slow reconstruction of the nearly 1 million houses despite foreign donors already pledging $4.1 billion in aid.

Millions of people remain homeless.