Earthquake in Pakistan

There was a devastating earthquake in the northern parts of Pakistan and India about 24 hours ago. The epicenter of the 7.6 intensity earthquake was about 50 miles (80 km) northeast of Islamabad. Latest numbers are more than 18,000 killed and 40,000 wounded.

Pakistan says more than 18,000 have been killed by Saturday’s powerful earthquake that also hit northern India and Afghanistan.

The 7.6-magnitude quake, with an epicentre 80km (50 miles) north-east of Islamabad, flattened entire villages.

Another 40,000 people are believed to be injured, said military spokesman Major-General Shaukat Sultan.

[…] The earthquake, which hit at 0350GMT on Saturday, was felt as far away as the Afghan capital, Kabul, and India’s capital, Delhi. Several aftershocks followed. It is thought to be the strongest earthquake to hit the region in a century.

In one incident, around 250 children were said to have died when two schools collapsed in the North-West Frontier Province’s Mansehra district. About 200 soldiers are also thought to have been killed by landslides and falling debris.

[…] The earthquake’s epicentre was close to Muzaffarabad, the capital of Pakistani-administered Kashmir. Rescue teams have reportedly been airlifted into the city.

Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said almost 50% of all homes in the area had been destroyed.

Landslides have blocked all access roads to the city, where there is no electricity and telephones.

[…] Indian officials reported nearly 300 deaths in Indian-administered Kashmir, among them 15 soldiers.

The town of Uri, close to the Line of Control that separates divided Kashmir, was worst hit, with 104 dead.

South Asia quake blog is following developments there (hat tip: Chapati Mystery).

I have family and relatives in and around Islamabad. Fortunately, everyone seems to be okay.

UPDATE: Please consider donating to help the large number of victims of this earthquake. Here are some links:

There are also links on the Wikipedia page for the quake and at the South Asia Quake Help Blog.

UPDATE II: Following the news online, BBC looks to have the best coverage. You can also read BBC Urdu.

UPDATE III: My preferred charity in the list above is the Edhi Foundation. We finally got through to their New York office today (I guess they were closed over the weekend). If you are in the US, you can mail them a check at:

Earthquake Relief in Pakistan
Bilqis Edhi Relief Foundation
4207 National St
Corona, NY 11368-2444

They are a registered charity with a Tax ID of 11-345067. Their phone number is (718) 639-5120.

UPDATE IV: If you have Google Earth, you can download this placement map (and another) which show the epicenter, subduction zone, etc.

UPDATE V: E Mullah has Edhi Foundation’s New York bank information so that you can wire transfer any donations.

By Zack

Dad, gadget guy, bookworm, political animal, global nomad, cyclist, hiker, tennis player, photographer

9 comments

  2. How to help

    what is needed far more than merely money to the Patriarch’s coffers, but the kind of material aid that the Red Cross and other organizations can deliver on the ground.

  3. I am glad to read that your family came through this disaster unscathed. One can only hope and pray that the actual casualty figures are lower than the estimates. This is certainly a year of epic tragedies.

  4. I also wrote an eye-witness account of this earthquake on my blog (fahdoracle.blogspot.com). Its very saddening here. This calamity shook everyone. The victims are still there lying helplessly in cold without any food, medicine and shelter. Please reachout and help with whatever you can.

  5. The worry is that after-shocks continue even after 52 hours.

    Asif’s (Salwa’s husband) first cousin’s ( Chacha’s daughter) 16 year old son died under the rubble of Margalla Towers. Taya and Tayee were resued alive on Saturday. Boy’s parents were in Libya. They are expected to reach Islamabad today. Boy was living with his Taya & tayee for education.

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