Asia Earthquake 30,000 potential deaths
By Darren Cronian on Sunday, October 9th, 2005

How to donate: www.dec.org.uk
Latest Update from Asia on BBC News

Pakistan says more than 19,000 people have been confirmed dead so far in the region’s earthquake, including hundreds of children buried in collapsed school buildings.The Queen has sent her “heartfelt sympathy” to the people of Pakistan amid fears the toll could rise to 30,000. Most of those who died were in Pakistan but the 7.6 magnitude quake also rocked India and Afghanistan.

In her message to Pakistan’s President Pervez Musharraf, the Queen said: “I send my heartfelt sympathy to you and the people of Pakistan, especially to the bereaved and injured and all who have been affected by this terrible disaster.” President Musharraf appealed to the international community to assist with quake relief after the worst disaster in his country’s history.

Britain is sending aid and emergency workers and a team of British experts was believed to be helping Pakistani rescuers who pulled survivors from the rubble of a 10-storey apartment building. Foreign Secretary Jack Straw said the UK’s initial response was to send £100,000 in Pakistan rupees, together with 60 medics, emergency workers and foreign office staff.

A search and rescue team left Heathrow and a second flight left from East Midlands airport for Chaklala, Pakistan Air Force base, in Islamabad, with staff and emergency supplies, such as blankets. Anxious relatives from Britain were also on their way to the area in the hope of finding their family members alive.

Copyright BBC News 2005

Pakistan High Commission diplomat Manzoor ul Haq said: “We are providing visa facilities to all those who have lost their relatives in Pakistan and want to go there and those who want to go in connection with relief assistance.”

Staff also set up emergency visa services at Heathrow, Birmingham and Manchester airports to to help those in a rush without the required paperwork. Muslim charities in the UK have already pledged hundreds of thousands of pounds in relief.


Related Posts:





Subscribe to RSS Submit to StumbleUpon Bookmark page

Comments are closed.