Pakistan sends condolences over US tornado that kills 91

Pakistan on Tuesday expressed sense of shock the loss of life and property caused by tornado in the United States and sent condolences to the families.

The tornado in the US state of Oklahoma killed at least 91 people, with at least 145 people injured including 70 children.

“The Government and people of Pakistan are deeply saddened and shocked at the humanitarian tragedy unleashed on the Oklahoma State by a devastating tornado, “ the Pakistani Foreign Ministry said.

“Our sympathies and prayers go out to the families of victims of this horrific incident that led to precious loss of life and property,” the ministry said in a statement.

It said Pakistan is particularly grieved over the loss of innocent children and their teachers who were buried under the rubble.

The statement said the people of Pakistan stand hand in hand with the people of Oklahoma at this difficult time.

The tornado flattened entire neighborhoods in the southern suburb of Moore‚ leaving buildings on fire and landing a direct blow to an elementary school.

School children were trapped under the debris and the relief workers were trying to rescue them.

The latest tornado in Oklahoma came as the state was still recovering from a strong storm on Sunday with fist-sized hail and blinding rain.

President Barack Obama has declared a major disaster in Oklahoma as the state recovers from a massive tornado that ripped through the Oklahoma City suburbs Monday‚ killing dozens and flattening entire neighborhoods.

Obama has ordered federal aid to supplement state and local recovery efforts. Individuals and business owners affected by the disaster may apply for federal grants for temporary housing and home repairs‚ low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses and other programs.

The president promised federal assistance in a phone conversation earlier Monday with Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin (FAL’-ihn). The Federal Emergency Management Agency has sent a special team to Oklahoma’s emergency operations center to help out and dispatch resources.

Rescue workers raced against time and darkness Monday night looking for survivors.

The tornado ripped through Moore in the southern part of the Oklahoma city metropolitan area, devastating homes and buildings.

Briarwood Elementary School in Moore reportedly received a “direct hit” from the storm and was severely damaged. Plaza Towers Elementary School in Moore was also on the twister’s path.

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Posted by Tahir Khan on May 21 2013. Filed under Latest News, USA. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.