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Earthquake death toll rises to 79,000
(AP)
Updated: 2005-10-19 19:32
MUZAFFARABAD, Pakistan - Two strong aftershocks from South Asia's deadly
earthquake shook the devastated region on Wednesday, unleashing landslides and
setting off another wave of panic among survivors who lost loved ones and homes
in the Oct. 8 disaster. A new tally from regional officials pushed the death
toll to 79,000.
A view of destruction caused by the Oct 8
masssive earthquake in Muzaffarabad, capital of Pakistani Kashmir,
Wednesday, Oct. 19, 2005. A halt in heavy rains allowed helicopter relief
flights to resume across Pakistan's quake zone, but fresh landslides
hampered efforts to move supplies by road and officials estimated the
death toll could now be more than 54,000. [AP] |
Despite brisk sorties of helicopters delivering aid to quake victims, an
estimated half-million survivors, many of them in Pakistan's portion of Kashmir,
have yet to receive any help since the monster 7.6-magnitude quake leveled
entire villages. Thousands need urgent medical care.
The situation is the most dire in the estimated 1,000 settlements outside the
main cities and towns, said regional U.N. disaster coordinator Rob Holden.
"Many people out there, we are not going to get to in time," Holden said.
"Some people who have injuries don't have a chance of survival."
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