Over 19,000 people have been killed and 42,397 injured in the earthquake that rocked Pakistan and PoK
ISLAMABAD: Over 19,000 people have been killed and 42,397 injured in the devastating earthquake that rocked Pakistan and PoK, Interior Minister Aftab Khan Sherpao announced on Sunday. However, unofficial figures said that the toll had crossed 20,000 in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
In the worst hit PoK region, 17,388 people have been killed, he said after an emergency meeting of officials to assess the damage caused by the quake. Pakistan has officially put the toll at 19,136 dead and 42,397 injured in the massive earthquake.
Meanwhile, Pak President Pervez Musharraf said the government would need more helicopters to provide relief goods and medicines to the thousands of people affected by the earthquake.
Talking to reporters in Islamabad, he said the government needs assistance from the people, who can donate blankets and tents for the victims who have been forced to spend nights under open skies since the disaster.
"We have already established President's relief Fund and looking forward to donations by the people,'' Gen Musharraf said, adding he was confident that the nation will appear victorious from this tragedy.
Director General Meteorological Office Qamaruz Zaman Siddiqui told the media in Islamabad that the magnitude of the aftershock felt at 2 pm IST was around 6 at the Richter scale, adding that there have been some 144 aftershocks felt so far.
Meanwhile, authorities said the death toll in the tragedy has reached 20,000. However, PoK's senior Communication Minister Tariq Farooq claimed that the toll was 30,000 in PoK.
In the Northwestern Frontier Province (NWFP), the number of dead has risen to 3,000 from last night's 1,000 with many areas still beyond the reach of provincial authorities.
Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf undertook an aerial visit of North West Frontier Province. Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz would also be visiting the province and PoK.
"It is too early to give an exact figure of the loss of life but it would be in the range of 15,000-18, 000," Musharraf said.
Pakistan government has announced Rs five billion assistance to the quake-hit regions and declared a three day mourning period.
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