A Tonbridge man caught up in last month's tragic earthquake in Nepal has been declared safe following this morning's disaster.

Sebastian Lovera, who was trekking on Mount Everest at the time of the first disaster, intended to remain in the country but his family convinced him to leave last week.

The 22-year-old's mother, Rachel, confirmed this morning that he is scuba diving in Koh Tao, Thailand and is safe.

Prior to the first quake Mr Lovera was based with his trekking partner at a small town called Gorak Shep, about 4km from base.

Following the disaster he believed heading up to base camp was safer than heading down to Kathmandu where resources were sparse and water supplies had been cut off.

Speaking to KentOnline today Mrs Lovera said: "Seb's original plan when the quake struck was to stay in the Everest region but the family pleaded with him to leave and I explained the geological issues and the possibility of another earthquake.

"He finally listened and made his way down before leaving the country last week.

"It's just so shocking beause the epicentre of this one was right in the town where Seb sought refuge on the way down from everest, its a place used for acclimatisation. He spent three days there.

"I feel blessed that he took our advice and left. At the time it was fine but thinking about what could have happened and the trekkers who are still there it doesn’t bear thinking about.

"I do worry about Seb but you've got to let them go and cross your fingers and hope for the best you can’t wrap them up in cotton wool and stifle them if they have this adventurous streak in them that's what they're going to do and if they get injured doing that you have to take the attitude that they are doing something they love.

"The day he arrived in Thailand they had a 4.6 quake but there was no damage or casualties thankfully.

"I cannot express how upset I feel about this second large quake. Just the thought that he could have been there and in that region chills my blood."

This morning's quake is reported to have had a magnitude of 7.3 and struck in the town of Namche Bazar, near Mount Everest at 7.50am local time.

Tremors were felt as far away as Delhi and the capital of Bangladesh, Dhaka.

Matt Carapiet, from Bearsted, was also caught up in the accident.

He was tragically confirmed dead on Friday after weeks of uncertainty.

Speaking to KentOnline today Mrs Lovera added: "I feel relieved but still wobbly. There was the really, really awful case of Matt Carapiet who was confirmed dead. That really affected me so much because I thought god I can’t imagine what that family is going through. Our hearts go out to them.

"Seb was really sombre after hearing the news, I think it really hit him how close to home it all came. He almost can't bear to think about it."

Mrs Lovera, who is a teacher at Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys, had returned from the country days before with a group of students who were taking part in a World Challenge expedition.

The group have raised nearly £13,000 for the Nepal disaster fund.