The death toll in Nepal's youth-led anti-corruption protests that turned violent last week has risen to 51, according to the police.

"51 people have died so far this week in the protests, including at least 21 protestors and three policemen," police spokesman Binod Ghimire told Agence France-Presse news agency.

Ghimire said that nine prisoners were also among those who were killed during the protests.

The scale of the public furore that toppled the government is beginning to emerge, now that a semblance of normality is returning to Kathmandu, which was the epicenter of the protests.

During the chaos of the protests, thousands of prisoners also escaped from multiple jails countrywide with many still on the run, Ghimire added.

"About 13,500 prisoners had escaped — some have been recaptured, 12,533 are still at large," Ghimire said.

Some of the prisoners have tried to cross the vast and porous frontier into India, where scores have been detained by the Indian border forces.

Nepal appoints interim prime minister

Sushila Karki, Nepal's former chief justice, was appointed interim prime minister, becoming the first woman to head the Himalayan nation's government.

Karki was sworn in by President Ram Chandra Poudel in a small ceremony at the presidential residence that was broadcast on state-run television.

"Congratulations! We wish you success, wish the country success," Paudel said to Karki after the ceremony, attended by diplomats and some former leaders.

Karki, dressed in a red sari, took the oath but did not give a speech. Instead, she smiled and repeatedly bowed with her hands pressed together in a traditional greeting.

Edited by: Kieran Burke