Nepal hit by 7.4 magnitude earthquake, at least 42 dead

The death toll in the latest Nepal earthquake has risen to 42.

A magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck in the country's west, just two weeks after another devastating quake killed more than 8,000 people.

The latest earthquake hit near the town of Namche Bazar, 83 kilometres from the capital Kathmandu, near the base camp for Mount Everest.

The US Geological Survey said the quake occurred at a depth of about 19 kilometres.

Residents in Katmandu rushed outside their homes and onto the streets when the quake hit around 12.35pm local time.

Disaster relief workers, who are helping with the recovery effort following the earthquake on April 25, say residents are distressed and fearing for their lives.

The tremors were felt in neighbouring countries India, Bangladesh and Afghanistan.

A U.S. military helicopter carrying six Marines and two Nepalese Army soldiers has gone missing whilst on a mission in Nepal delivering aid to earthquake victims, U.S. defence officials said. So far there have been no indications that the aircraft crashed.

U.S. Army Col. Steve Warren said an Indian helicopter in the air nearby at the time heard radio chatter about a possible fuel problem.