Rescue work scaled back

Officials say major tasks done in Kathmandu and international volunteers can return home

Nepal's government urged foreign rescue workers in the quake-hit capital to return home on Monday.

Information Minister Minendra Rijal said the major rescue work in Kathmandu and surrounding areas has been completed and the remaining operations can be handled by local workers. However, work remained in the villages and remote mountain areas, and foreign aid volunteers could work with local police and army rescuers in those areas, he said.