President Ramchandra Paudel’s Europe tour, which was scheduled for November 8, has been deferred for now.

The 10-day trip, covering France, Italy and Germany, has been postponed in view of the country’s current situation, said Suresh Chandra Chalise, the principal secretary of the President.

“The country is in a state of crisis after Friday’s earthquake. The nation is in mourning due to the crisis caused by the natural disaster. That is why the President has decided to put the visit on hold,” Chalise said.

A Cabinet meeting on November 2 had approved the visit, from November 8-17. This was to be Paudel’s first official visit after assuming the top office in March.

The head of state was scheduled to attend the Paris Peace Forum 2023 to be held in Paris on November 10 and 11.

At least 153 people died, hundreds were injured and thousands were displaced by a magnitude 6.4 earthquake that rocked Jajarkot and West Rukum of Karnali Province on November 3.

The President is scheduled to visit the earthquake affected areas on Tuesday morning to better understand the situation, said the President’s Press Advisor Kiran Pokharel.