Death toll from Balochistan’s powerful earthquake crosses 200

Death toll from the powerful earthquake, measuring 7.7 on Richter scale, has crossed the figure of 200 as more bodies were recovered from the rubble of destroyed buildings on Wednesday, officials said.

The earthquake struck Balochistan and Sindh provinces and destroyed hundreds of houses, officials said.

Awaran and Kech districts of Balochistan were the worst affected by the tremours Tuesday in the afternoon.

District Coordination Officer in Awaran, Abdul Rashid, says death toll has reached 208. Another senior officer in Balochistan has put the death toll at 182.

Rescue teams are rushing the affected areas after many affected people spent night in open, correspondents in the region said Wednesday.

The army says 300 troops have already been sent to the worst affected areas and the number of troops will raise upto 1000 later Wednesday.

Army helicopters also started operation to transfer the injured to hospitals. The army has set up a bse at Khuzdar, a main town in the region, for relief operation.

Officials say that 90 percent houses in Awaran district have been destroyed. The communication system has badly been affected, residents said.

Affected persons complained of lack of medicines and doctors in hospitals in the area. They are demanding doctors and medicines.

Relief goods are also started arriving in the affected areas, officials said.

Rescue teams have resumed activities in the morning and are searching for survivors under the debris.

Strong tremors were also felt in other cities including Karachi, Hyderabad, Larkana in Sindh province, however there was no report of casualty and damage.

The army spokesman, Maj. Gen. Asim Bawa said 300 soldiers had been dispatched to the area on Tuesday and that strength will grow to 1000 by Wednesday.

Pakistan has not launched any international appeal for financial aid however statements for supports are also pouring in from outside the country.

Queen Elizabeth of Britain has expressed deep sorrow and grief over the loss of lives and property in yesterday’s earth quake in the Balochistan province of Pakistan.

In a statement‚ she directed the British Prime Minister David Cameron to immediately contact the Pakistan government and inquire about providing relief supplies to the quake hit people.

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Posted by Tahir Khan on Sep 25 2013. Filed under Latest News, National, Pakistan. 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.