KATHMANDU, Nepal (AP) — Nepal's worst earthquake in more than 80 years has so far claimed more than 4,000 lives, even without a full accounting from vulnerable mountain villages that rescue workers were still struggling to reach two days after the disaster. The desperate effort to save lives intensified Monday as aid flights arrived carrying emergency medical teams, search-and-rescue equipment and tarps for shelter.

Lila Mani Poudyal, the government's chief secretary and the rescue coordinator, said Nepal needed more help. He said the recovery was also being slowed because many workers — water tanker drivers, electricity company employees and laborers needed to clear debris — "are all gone to their families and staying with them, refusing to work."

"We are appealing for tents, dry goods, blankets, mattresses, and 80 different medicines that the health department is seeking that we desperately need now," Poudyal told reporters. "We don't have the helicopters that we need or the expertise to rescue the people trapped."

About 7,180 people were injured in the quake, police said. Poudyal estimated that tens of thousands of people had been left homeless. "We have been under severe stress and pressure, and have not been able to reach the people who need help on time," he said.

Here is a collection of images that reveal the scale of the tragedy.

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