Quake rocks SW Pakistan, at least 200 killed, Strong aftershock

Strong aftershock hits SW Pakistan's quake-hit areas

2008-10-29 20:51:47

ISLAMABAD, Oct. 29 (Xinhua) --

A strong aftershock measuring 6.2 on the Richter scale was recorded in southwestern Pakistan's earthquake-hit areas on Wednesday, according to the United States Incorporated Research Institution for Seismology.

Local TV channel Ary One World reported that the new quake measured 6.4 on the Richter scale and 60 more people were injured as a result.

Two major earthquakes hit southwestern Pakistan's Balochistan province early Wednesday morning, leaving more than 160 people dead, many others injured and 15,000 people shelterless. As many as 12 aftershocks hit the affected areas, according to local media reports.

Pakistan's army rushed its medical teams on helicopters into Khawas and other towns and villages in the worst-hit areas. A total of 25 doctors are busy providing first aid to the injured, private Geo TV channel reported.

The DAWN NEWS TV channel quoted Farooq Ahmad Khan as saying that around 2,000 houses had been damaged and up to 2,000 tents had been sent to the quake-affected areas.

However, he said there was not need to turn to other countries for help at the moment.

Quake rocks SW Pakistan, at least 100 killed

2008-10-29 08:46:01

ISLAMABAD, Oct. 29 (Xinhua) --

At least 100 (200 at 9:00 pm ET, according to TV reports) people were killed as an earthquake hit southwestern Pakistan's Balochistan province early Wednesday morning, private DAWN NEWS TV channel reported.

Many others were also injured and more than 500 houses damaged in the worst-hit Ziarat area, said the report.

So far seven aftershocks have been recorded in the area and meteorological department warned more aftershocks were likely to hit the area in the coming week.

Farooq Ahmad Khan, chief of National Disaster Management Authority was quoted by DAWN NEWS as saying that medical teams had reached Ziarat area and the top priority at the moment was to rescue people from rubble of damaged houses.

A field hospital consisting of 25 doctors and 100 paramedics have also been dispatched to the quake-affected areas.

Up to 1,000 tents, 1,500 blankets and edible items have been dispatched to Ziarat.

The DAWN NEWS quoted official sources as saying that two quakes occurred Wednesday morning. The first one measuring magnitude 5.0 on Richter scale took place at 4:33 a.m. (2233 GMT Tuesday) and the second one measuring magnitude 6.1 occurred at 5:10 a.m. (2310GMT Tuesday).

Ghulam Rasul, chief meteorologist of the research and development division of Pakistan Meteorologic Department (PMD) earlier told Xinhua on phone that the quake measured magnitude 6.5.

　The Chief Minister of Balochistan province has ordered the concerned departments to utilize all possible resources to evacuate sufferers and provide relief to them.

The Balochistan provincial government has sought help from armed forces to carry out relief operations.

Editor: An

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