Cape Coral native helping those affected by earthquakes in Nepal

Rescue efforts continue in Nepal after a 7.3 magnitude earthquake hit the region Tuesday.

This is the second major quake the nation has suffered in less than three weeks.

A local man is in the middle of the tragedy. Just hours ago, Cape Coral resident Ben Cumbie and his group were considered missing after Tuesday’s earthquake.

They’re in Nepal to help with relief efforts after the first quake earlier this month.

“We are alive, we are good!” said Cumbie. “It grew in magnitude and lasted a very long time. The whole group of us saw houses fall right in front of us, huge rock slides on the mountain ridge. It was bad.”

Cumbie’s family waited anxiously from Southwest Florida to hear from him. Wednesday morning, Cumbie’s family got the call.

“When I got back, I saw the Nepali radio station said we were missing and posted our photos. CNN ran one of our teammates photos,” said Cumbie.

Two weeks after the first earthquake shook Nepal, Cumbie traveled to the area to build homes.

“We are building for those who can’t afford to rebuild after their homes have been destroyed.”

Six days later, the second quake hit.

“Everybody in the village was screaming and yelling out of fear.”

Cumbie and his friends are still looking for donations to keep helping out in Nepal. One-hundred percent of the donations go to buy things like food and supplies to build shelter.

To donate and learn more information, click here.