|
| October 8, 2005 | Saturday | Ramzan 3, 1426 |
Updated round-the-clock, with major updates after 10:00 PST (05:00 GMT)
Confirmed death toll in quake passes 1,800: officials ISLAMABAD, Oct 8 (AFP) The confirmed death toll in Saturday's massive earthquake, which rocked India, Pakistan and Afghanistan, has passed 1,800, officials said. "The death toll is between 550 and 600 in North West Frontier Province and it is likely to rise," Riffat Pasha, the provincial head of police said. Some 250 people were confirmed dead and thousands more injured in Muzaffarabad,a government official said adding that "there is a massive devastation in the city.” "Village after village has been wiped out" in Azad Kashmir, an army relief official said from Muzaffarabad said. "The Neelum River has been blocked because whole villages have fallen into the water," the official added. (Posted @ 20:35 PST)
82 people pulled out alive from Islamabad’s tower blocks ISLAMABAD, Oct 8 (Reuters): In Islamabad, 82 people were pulled out alive from two multi-storey apartment blocks that were reduced to rubble. But a government official said that rescuers also found the bodies of 10 people including seven Pakistanis, an Egyptian and two Japanese, one of whom was a two-year-old child. (Posted @ 23:35 PST)
200 Pakistani soldiers among quake dead ISLAMABAD, Oct 8 (AFP) Around 200 Pakistani soldiers died in a major earthquake that struck the region on Saturday, the military said. "Some 200 army men have died in the earthquake," a military spokesman said. Military spokesman Major General Shaukat Sultan gave the same figure to a local private channel. Most are believed to have died in Azad Kashmir, where Pakistan has tens of thousands of troops stationed along Line of Control. (Posted @ 22:50 PST)
About 400 Pakistani school children dead in quake PESHAWAR, Pakistan, Oct 8 (Reuters) About 400 school children were killed in north-western Pakistan when a quake struck the region on Saturday and their schools collapsed, police said. "Three-hundred-and-fifty school children have been killed in a school in Mansehra district and 50 were killed in another school in the same district," said provincial police chief Riffat Pashar. "The situation is very bad, the figure has gone to about 1,000 feared dead in North West Frontier province," he said. (Posted @ 22:05 PST)
1000 killed in Azad Kashmir; 300 killed in occupied Kashmir ISLAMABAD, Oct 8 (Reuters) Azad Kashmir was most severely affected by the earthquake and aid is needed immediately as winter is setting in, aid agency Oxfam said on Saturday. "It is becoming clear that the most affected area is Azad Kashmir where 5 out of 7 divisions are severely affected," Raphael Sindaye, Oxfam's humanitarian response coordinator in Islamabad, said in a statement. More than 1,000 people were killed in Azad Kashmir alone, a senior relief official said. "The death toll is certainly more than a thousand in Kashmir," amry relief official Major Rana Nisar said from Muzaffarabad. Also nearly 300 people died on Saturday in occupied Kashmir, Information Minister S. Jaipal Reddy said after a cabinet meeting. Those killed include civilians as well as army personnel and border security guards. An emergency meeting chaired by Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh announced one billion rupees (22 million dollars) in federal aid to the state government of occupied Kashmir. State authorities reported at least 500 houses and buildings damaged in the quake. An army spokesman said 36 Indian soldiers stationed on the Line of Control died when some of the forward posts caved in, while others were hit by falling debris. (Posted @ 22:45 PST)
Scores feared dead or trapped in Pakistan quake ISLAMABAD, Oct 8 (Reuters) - Scores of people were feared trapped or killed on Saturday after two buildings collapsed in Pakistan's capital following a major earthquake felt across the northern regions of Indo-Pakistan subcontinent. In Islamabad, scores of people were feared killed or trapped in two apartment blocks reduced to rubble. A private TV channel showed pictures of residents and rescue workers clambering over heaps of rubble. Officials said the two blocks of the highrise contained 75 apartments. So the number of people must be in the hundreds," said the official. In Islamabad people were screaming in fear inside their houses during the quake -- which lasted for about a minute -- and car and house alarms were set off by the shaking. Minutes later, sirens could be heard as the emergency services began racing through the city of about a million people.An aftershock of magnitude 5.9 was felt in Islamabad about an hour later, causing more panic.In Lahore, closer to the epicentre, at least nine people were injured, including eight officials of the paramilitary rangers, who were caught when the roof of their office collapsed, police said. In Delhi, screaming people rushed out of apartment buildings as the tremors began.India's science and technology minister, Kapil Sibal, said initial reports did not indicate any loss of life in India. "I think if at all any damage occurred it must have occurred there (in Pakistan)," he told a TV station. But officials in occupied Kashmir said several buildings had been damaged in the northern districts of Uri, Baramullah and Kupwara and strong tremors triggered landslides, blocking the 300-km (190-mile) Jammu-Srinagar highway. Landslides also blocked the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad road, they said. Several houses collapsed in the upper reaches of occupied Jammu and Kashmir near the border with Pakistan. Another T.V news channel said one person was killed and 50 injured in Baramullah district.(Posted @ 13:00 PST)
Relief Cell established in Prime Minister House ISLAMABAD, Oct 8 (APP): "Earthquake Relief Cell" has been established in Prime Minister House. It will work round the clock and will receive complaints from the earthquake affectees. The phone numbers are: 9213891 or 9222999. Earthquake Relief Cell has also been established in the Ministry of Interior.(Posted @ 16:15 PST)
President's relief fund established for earthquake victims Islamabad, Oct 8 PPI: The President's relief fund has been established for the victims of the earthquake. People including overseas Pakistanis have been appealed to generously donate. Donations can be made in all branches of State Bank of Pakistan, all treasury branches and branches of National Bank, Habib Bank, United Bank, Muslim Commercial Bank and Allied Bank in the country. (Posted @ 22:50 PST)
New aftershocks rock Islamabad, adjoining areas ISLAMABAD, Oct 8 (AFP) Strong aftershocks including one measuring more than 6.0 on the Richter scale rattled Islamabad on Saturday. There have been at least 14 aftershocks since the 7.6-strength tremor earlier in the day, and they could continue for the next 48 hours, the chief of the country's meteorological department, Qamar Uzzman said. "It was a strong aftershock. Its magnitude appears to be more than six," he said of the strongest aftershock which hit at around 3:50 pm (1050 GMT), almost exactly seven hours after the main quake. The epicenter of the aftershocks appears to be shifting from north to northeast "towards the Kashmir side," he added. (First Posted @17:35 PST Updated@) 23:05 PST)
Indian PM offers quake aid to Pakistan; calls Musharraf NEW DELHI, Oct 8 (AFP) Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has offered to help Pakistan with rescue and relief operations in the wake of Saturday's earthquake. "While parts of India have also suffered from this unexpected natural disaster, we are prepared to extend any assistance with rescue and relief which you may deem appropriate," Singh said in a message to President Pervez Musharraf. Singh on Saturday evening also telephoned Musharraf and expressed sympathies and condolences from the people and government of India for the earthquake victims in Pakistan. Musharraf thanked Singh for his kind sentiments and also condoled with the government and people of India on the tragic loss of lives on the Indian side. (First Posted @ 20:25 PST Updated 23:05 PST)
European countries offer aid to quake-hit South Asia BRUSSELS, Oct 8 (AFP) European countries responded swiftly to Saturday's massive earthquake that hit Pakistan, India and Afghanistan, offering aid and funds as well as condolences. The European Commission said up to three million euros (3.6 million dollars) could be approved within a day if requested by agencies working on the ground. A spokesman said the commission's Humanitarian Aid department (ECHO) was in touch with two organizations, Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) Netherlands and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) about the crisis. British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw for his part said, "we are offering help to the Pakistani government and are ready to respond to all requests." Overseas Development Minister Hillary Benn, calling the earthquake, "a major disaster," said British search and rescue teams were ready to fly out to the affected areas as soon as help is requested. In Berlin Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer said Germany had immediately released 50,000 euros to be made available to Pakistani authorities through Berlin's embassy in Islamabad.Turkey also offered aid to Pakistan, Anatolia news agency reported, quoting Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul. Turkish civil defence and Red Crescent teams, experienced in working in earthquake zones, had been placed on alert. Greece also said it was ready to send a team of specialists to the region. Elsewhere, French President Jacques Chirac sent a message of support to his President Musharraf, his office said. Musharraf received a similar message from Russia's President Vladimir Putin, the Kremlin said. (Posted @ 20:36 PST)
British earthquake equipment to reach Pakistan early Sunday ISLAMABAD, Oct 8 (APP): The British government has despatched earthquake and heat-seeking equipment to help in relief and rescue efforts in Pakistan, official sources said on Saturday. A team of experts is also coming with the equipment which is used to track people trapped in rubble. China Earthquake Administration has also offered Pakistan with search and rescue assistance.(Posted@20:40 PST)
China sends 50-member rescue team to Pakistan ISLAMABAD, Oct 8 (APP): China has rushed to Pakistan a 50-member strong search and rescue team to assist in search and rescue operations in the earthquake affected areas of Pakistan. The team also comprises of paramedics and is carrying the latest equipment for rescue operations. (Posted @ 23:10 PST)
Ireland pledges million euros in earthquake aid for Pakistan DUBLIN, Oct 8 (AFP) The Irish government Saturday pledged an initial one million euros (1.2 million dollars) to assist with immediate needs to deal with the aftermath of the earthquake in northern Pakistan. The initial funding will be available for the Red Cross and Red Crescent organizations. (Posted@20:39)
U.S. stands with friends in Pakistan: Condoleezza Rice WASHINGTON, Oct 8 (APP) U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has sent her "deepest condolences" to all those affected by today's earthquake, adding that at this difficult time, America "stands with its friends in Pakistan and India, just as they stood with us and offered assistance after Hurricane Katrina." The statement said Secretary Rice spoke with Foreign Minister Khurshid M. Kasuri, as well as, Indian External Affairs Minister Natwar Singh this morning to convey sympathy and offer whatever assistance may be needed. Meanwhile United States also announced $100,000 assistance for victims affected by the earthquake in Pakistan and other areas of South Asia on Saturday morning. US Ambassador to Pakistan Ryan C. Crocker said the US Agency for International Development has offered assistance to their Pakistani counterparts. (Posted @ 23:10 PST)
Quake a test for the nation: Pakistan's Musharraf ISLAMABAD, Oct 8 (AFP) President Pervez Musharraf said a massive quake which rocked the country Saturday was a test for the nation as he visited a collapsed apartment block in Islamabad, state television showed. "In the overall context it is a test for all of us... the entire nation and we are sure we will qualify this test," Musharraf said at the site of the wrecked building, where at least two people died and dozens were still trapped. Minutes after Musharraf spoke, another tremor rumbled through Islamabad, shaking buildings and forcing people run out of their offices and home, witnesses said. (Posted @ 18:00 PST)
President, PM review rescue efforts at site of collapsed high-rise ISLAMABAD, Oct 8 (APP): President General Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz reviewed rescue and relief operations at the site of 10-storey residential Margalla Tower in the capital, which collapsed following Saturday morning's severe earthquake. The President was informed that some 70 to 80 people were trapped. He expressed satisfaction at the rescue and relief operations in which all civil and military agencies are taking part. (Posted @ 18:10 PST)
Pakistan High Commission sets up emergency visa desks at Heathrow and Manchester Airports LONDON, Oct 8 (APP): The Pakistan High Commission here has set up emergency visa desks at Heathrow and Manchester airports to facilitate the British Pakistanis who want to travel to Pakistan in the wake of the devastating earthquake that struck the country on Saturday. Four consulates of the High Commission in Manchester, Birmingham,Glasgow and Braford have been asked to start a 24-hour emergency visa service, sources here said. (Posted@20:55)
Quake kills at least 500 in Mansehra district PESHAWAR, Pakistan, Oct 8 (Reuters) At least 500 people were killed and over 1,700 were injured in the Mansehra district of Pakistan's North West Frontier Province by Saturday's massive earthquake, a senior police officer said. There were no clear reports on the death toll from the other worst-hit regions of Azad Kashmir, but several villages were believed to have been devastated. (Posted @ 19:35 PST)
Massive earthquake jolts Bannu district BANNU, Oct 08 (APP): The massive earthquake jolted Bannu district at about 8.51 am Saturday morning and the tremors continued for about one minute. Officials said no report of any damage to life or property had so far been received from any part of the district.(Posted @ 16:15 PST)
Earthquake jolts Sialkot SIALKOT, Oct 8 (APP)- Strong earthquake jolted Sialkot and its adjoining areas on Saturday at 8.52 a.m. People came out from their homes and work places and ran out for safety.. No loss of life or property has so far been reported from any part of the district.(Posted @ 11:15 PST)
Earthquake jolts Sheikhupura city SHEIKHUPURA, Oct 8 (APP): An earthquake of severe intensity jolted Sheikhupura at about 9 a.m. on Saturday and caused damage to a number of buildings including the upper portion of the historic Sheikhupura Fort. People rushed out of homes, offices etc. A number of telephone and electricity poles were uprooted.(Posted @ 11:15 PST)
Earthquake jolts Joharabad JAUHRABAD, Oct 8 (APP)- An earthquake of severe intensity jolted Jauhrabad city and its adjoining areas at 8:52 a.m.Saturday. The tremors continued for about one minute. So far no loss of life or property was reported from any part .(Posted @ 11:10 PST)
Earthquake rocks Sargodha city SARGODHA, Oct 8 (APP): An earthquake of severe intensity struck the town and its adjoining areas at about 9.00 a.m here Saturday.According to reports, tremors continued for about 2 minutes but no casuality has so far been reported from any part of the city.(Posted @ 11:10 PST)
Earthquake jolts Lahore LAHORE, Oct 8 (APP)- An earthquake of great intensity jolted the Provincial Capital on Saturday at 8.51 a.m. and lasted for about one minute. The strong earthquake forced the people to come out of their houses and office buildings. Damage to buildings has been reported from some parts of the city but details are awaited. The government has ordered all agencies to get into top gear to face emergency.(Posted @ 11:08 PST)
Massive earthquake jolts Multan, Vehari MULTAN, Oct 8 (APP): A massive earthquake jolted the Multan city at about 8.54 a.m. Saturday . The tremors continued for about one minute. Civil Defence officials told APP that so far no report of any damage to any property or loss to life had been reported from any part of the city.Tremors were felt at 8.54 a.m. and continued for 55 seconds, officials said.(Posted @ 11:05 PST)
Child killed as school, residential building collapses in Pakistan ISLAMABAD, Oct 8 (AFP) - One child was killed when a school building collapsed in Rawalpindi after a strong quake hit northern Pakistan. In the school building collapse one minor was killed and six other students were injured," Information Minister Sheikh Rashid told AFP. Details were not immediately available. There were also reports of houses and structures collapsing in other northern cities and towns, while the military said an entire village in the Azad Kashmir district of Bagh was "wiped out".(Posted @ 11:50 PST)
No earthquake in Balochistan QUETTA, Oct 8 (APP): No tremors were felt across Balochistan on Saturday morning, Director Met Office Quetta Zia Khan told APP.(Posted @ 14:00 PST)
Senate prorogued, expresses sympathy with earthquake victims ISLAMABAD, Oct 8 (APP): Chairman Senate Muhammadmian Soomro prorogued the session to express sympathy with the victims of earthquake that severely hit a number of cities in the country on Saturday morning. Leader of the House, Wasim Sajjad assured the house that the government would adopt all possible measures and utilize its resources to effectively meet this emergency situation. Earlier, Opposition Leader in Senate, Raza Rabbani, on a point of order, said there was need of massive national mobilization efforts to deal with the situation effectively. Senators Asfand Yar Wali, Tahira Latif, Mohim Khan Baloch, Azam Swati and Hidaytullah proposed prorogation of the House to enable the members to take part in rescue operations in their respective areas.(Posted @ 14:05 PST)
Two children killed in quake in eastern Afghanistan JALALABAD, Afghanistan, Oct 8 (AFP) - Two children were killed and nearly a dozen mud-brick houses were destroyed when an earthquake hit parts of Afghanistan on Saturday, an official said. "We've reports that two children were killed, one in Charbag and one in Chapliyar districts," Haikal Shah Falah, an official in Jalalabad said. Afghan interior ministry spokesman Yousuf Stanizai said his ministry was in "information collection process" but added that it appeared there was no widespread damage. "From most of the provinces we've received reports of 'no problem'," said another official. Authorities in the provinces of Badakhshan, Takhar and Samangan did not also report any casualties in their provinces.(Updated @ 12:23 PST) Last posted @ 10:40 PST)
US govt says Pakistani earthquake measured 7.6 WASHINGTON, Oct 8 (AFP) - An earthquake that hit Pakistan early Saturday measured 7.6 on the Richter scale, the US Geological Survey said. The agency said the epicenter of the tremor that occurred at 0350 GMT was located 95 kilometers (60 miles) north northeast of Islamabad, and added that the magnitude and location of the temblor could be revised when additional data and further analysis results became known. “This earthquake may have caused substantial damage and casualties due to its location and size," the US agency pointed out.(Posted @ 10:00 PST)
Japan says Pakistani earthquake measured 7.8 TOKYO, Oct 8 (AFP) - An earthquake that hit northern India and Pakistan Saturday measured 7.8 on the Richter scale, the Japanese meteorological agency said adding that there was no fear of tsunami tidal waves."We don't know about the depth of the epicenter but if the earthquake occurred relatively near to the ground, damage could be considerable."(Posted @ 10:45 PST)
PIA operates additional flights for Islamabad KARACHI, Oct 8 (APP) Pakistan International Airlines operated five (747 aircraft) additional flights on Saturday to meet the demand and growing rush of passengers intending to travel from Karachi to Islamabad and back. These extra-sections were operated in addition to four regular daily flights, a PIA spokesman said. (Posted@20:39)
Four earthquakes jolt Pakistan with 7.6 magnitude LAHORE, Oct 8 (APP) Four earthquakes of 7.6 magnitude with slight intervals jolted Pakistan on Saturday at 08:50:38 hours in different parts of Kohistan area, especially at Patan, 95 kilometres north of Islamabad. Chief Meteorologist, Shaukat Ali Awan said four jolts of total duration of 11 minutes were recorded with intervals: first of six minutes duration at 08:53 hours, second of 2.30 minutes duration at 09:07 hours, third of one minute duration at 09:30 hours, and the fourth of 1.30 minutes duration at 09:40 hours. He said the other parts of the country received after shocks which were recorded as under:- Babusir ---08:49+ Lahore ---- 08:51+ Peshawar---08:55 +Jhelum-Bannu 08:53 Dir 08:54 Bahawalnagar 08:50 Mandi Bahauddin 08:52 Chitral 08:52 Bahwalpur 08:57(Posted @ 15:00 PST)
Another accused involved in President, Prime Minister attack arrested KARACHI. Oct 8 (APP) The Anti-Violence Crime Cell of Karachi Police on Saturday arrested accused Sharafat Ali alias Khalid Fuji, a close associate of Amjad Farooqui, from a hotel in Cantt Station area. The accused was associated with Tanzeem Harkaat Al-Jehad Islami. The CCPO Karachi Tariq Jamil told a press conference here Saturday that the accused had remained involved in all acts of terrorism within Pakistan of whom Amjad Farooqui was the master mind. Amjad Farooqui was involved in the attack on President Pervez Musharraf in Islamabad and was killed in an encounter in Nawabshah last year. The CCPO disclosed that the accused Khalid Fauji was also involved in planning of the suicidal attack on Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz in Attock area and the terrorist attack on Church and Missionary school in the jurisdiction of Taxila. (Posted @ 22:20 PST)
Pakistan stresses common response to terrorism, other crimes UNITED NATIONS, Oct 8 (APP)-Pakistan has urged UN Member States to strengthen partnership against terrorism, drugs, organized crimes and corruption in an effort to prevent opportunities for "uncivil" society.Speaking in the General Assembly's Third Committee (Social, cultural and humanitarian), Pakistan's delegate Imtiaz Hussain also called for further measures to address States' needs in the field of crime prevention and criminal justice."We must also be aware that poverty is the ferment for crime," he said, adding: "Our preventive efforts must not lose sight of this mammoth challenge that adversely affects human society and human rights".(Posted @ 11:20 PST)
Suicide car bomber kills seven in Baghdad BAGHDAD, Oct 8 (Reuters) A suicide car bomber killed at least seven people in an attack on a police patrol in western Baghdad on Saturday, an Interior Ministry source said. The source said the blast killed one policeman and six civilians. It also wounded 10 policemen and six civilians, the source added. (Posted @ 22:25 PST)
Founder: Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah
Editor: Tahir Mirza
The DAWN Group of Newspapers
Haroon House, Dr. Ziauddin Ahmed Road, Karachi 74200, Pakistan.
Phone:+92 (21) 111-444-777 Fax: +92 (21) 569-3995
webmaster@dawn.com
Make sure to reload these pages so you're viewing the current version.
|
|
|
Contributions |