Chaos broke out this afternoon at an airport in Kathmandu as hundreds of  Indian nationals fought to return home to safety following the devastating earthquake in Nepal. As rescue efforts continued throughout the Nepalese capital, more than 1,000 passengers joined a haphazard 1km-long queue outside the nearby airport in a desperate attempt to flee the stricken city. Despite plummeting temperatures and rain, crowds had started to form outside Tribhuwan International Airport as darkness fell on Saturday night. Scroll down for video . Indian nationals fight for positions in the queue outside Tribhuwan International Airport as they try to return home following the 7.8-magnitude earthquake in Nepal . As rescue efforts continued throughout the Nepalese capital, more than 1,000 passengers formed a one kilometre-long queue outside the nearby airport in a desperate attempt to flee the stricken city . Despite the plummeting temperatures and rain, crowds had started to form outside the building late last night . Even more passengers flocked to the airport this morning, including families huddled together beneath blankets. Many visitors had already booked return journeys  but had crowded outside the airport in the hope of boarding the next available flight back to India. Others had been left stranded after some flights out of the capital city were cancelled. As the departure lounges grew busier, security guards were unable to control the sheer number of passengers vying for a coveted place in the queue. The airport's parking lot was converted into a makeshift waiting area to accommodate travellers. Mohammad Pervez, one of the passengers outside the airport, told NDTV: 'There is no water here or food. I have been sitting with my wife and child since early morning. We just want to get back home to India now.' Lu Hee, who was playing cards with friends in the waiting area, said: 'I had come only two days ago. But now, I want to head back to my home in Tibet. A tourist sits with scores of other passengers who are trying to get a flight out of Kathmandu in the aftermath of the quake . Crowds formed in the departure lounges as passengers waited for information. Many people had booked flights for later in the day but were hopeful on leaving the country on an earlier flight . But she added: 'I don't mind waiting here. At least I am thankful for being alive.' The earthquake, which struck on Saturday, came at a busy time of year, with an estimated 300,000 foreign tourists in the country. The economy of Nepal, a nation of 27.8 million people, relies heavily on tourism, principally trekking and Himalayan mountain climbing. The death toll has already hit 2,500 people, with the historic city Kathmandu - and all its famous sites - now reduced to rubble. The Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu had been briefly shut down yesterday due to a powerful aftershock from the 7.9 magnitude quake. According to reports, the impact was so great that planes had to turn around mid-flight. The airport in Kathmandu was briefly shut down due to a powerful aftershock from the 7.9 magnitude quake . Today, Indian soldiers arrived with supplies to Tribhuwan International Airport following the quake . India's budget SpiceJet said it was forced to recall its plane to New Delhi after the air traffic control centre at Kathmandu's airport was evacuated. Meanwhile, two Air India flights - carrying 135 and 45 passengers - were also turned back after the evacuation on the ground, according to the Press Trust of India news agency. The Indian Air Force evacuated several hundred stranded tourists but commercial flights were resumed just one hour later. The temporary shutdown highlights the difficulty facing Nepal's authorities, who are struggling to rescue and treat thousands of people in the capital. As well as killing more than 2,000 people nationwide, the quake toppled whole buildings and ripped apart roads and other infrastructure, cutting off electricity and communication networks.
Passengers joined 1km-long queue outside Tribhuwan International Airport . Guards unable to control sheer number of people attempting to flee Kathmandu . Many had already booked journeys but wanted to board next possible flight . Airport was briefly closed down yesterday due to aftershock from quake .