Strong quake hits Balochistan Quetta Earth Quake

[Pak_Army]

PM Gilani announces aid for quake victims
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has announced financial aid for the quake victims of Balcohistan.
Prime Minister announced aid of Rs. 0.3 million each for the relatives of deceased and Rs.0.1 million for wounded.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Punjab has announced the aid of Rs. 100 million for quake victims.
Hundreds of people have been affected whereas dozens of houses have been destroyed by earthquake that struck different parts of Balochistan on Wednesday.


Strong quake hits Balochistan, over 150 killed
QUETTA: A strong earthquake jolted Balochistan early Wednesday killing over 150 people, injuring hundreds of others and destroying houses and government buildings, officials said.
The 6.5 magnitude tremor struck villages and small towns 45 miles north of Quetta, the capital of Balochistan province, around, 4:33 a.m., according to the state television.
The epicenter of the earthquake was about 400 miles southwest of Islamabad, with towns and villages in the Ziarat district appeared to be the worst hit area. The cities and towns struck by the tremor included Pishin, Qila Abdullah, Chaman, Loralai, Sibbi and Mastung, rural areas all lying close to Balochistan's border with Afghanistan.
The death toll could rise as rescue workers move into more remote villages. Hundreds of others had been injured in the tremor and perhaps 15,000 left homeless and in need of help.
Officials said that more than 150 dead bodies had been recovered so far and the government was providing food, shelter and medical care to those who survived the devastation.
Pakistan's army rushed its medical teams on helicopters into Khawas and other towns and villages, 25 doctors are busy providing first aid to the injured.
Balochistan's capital, Quetta, was spared the brunt of the force, but there were injuries.
"We were fast asleep at the time of quake and when awakened by the shocks we took no time to come out of our houses," said Wahidullah, a resident of Quetta.
Wednesday's earthquake was the deadliest since a magnitude 7.6 temblor struck Pakistani-controlled Kashmir and other northern regions on October 8, 2005, killing over 80 thousand people and injuring thousands of others.



Over 70 bodies recovered in Ziarat: IG Balcohistan
QUETTA: Inspector General of Police Balochistan said that Ziarat has suffered most losses of lives and property in the quake where more than 70 bodies have been recovered.
IG Balochistan Asif Nawaz Warraich told Geo News that quake played havoc in different areas of Ziarat and damaged communication system badly.
More than 77 bodies have been recovered from different parts of Ziarat. Police sources said that over 100 wounded have been shifted in different hospitals and rescue operation is underway.


President, PM direct immediate relief for quake-hit areas
ISLAMABAD: The Chairman of National Disaster Management Authority Lt.Gen(R) Farooq Ahmad said that President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani directed for immediate relief operations in quake affected areas of Balochistan.
Talking to Geo News, Gen Farooq said that all arrangements have been made to dispatch tents and relief goods in the affected areas and it would be dispatched according to requirement of Balcohistan government.
He said that President Asif Zardari and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani had informed about the losses made by the quake.


Asfandyar Wali, CM Hoti condole Balcohistan quake losses
PESHAWAR: President of Awami National Party (ANP) Asfandyar Wali and Chief Minister Frontier Ameer Hyder Khan Hoti expressed sorrow over the loss of lives and property in Balochistan earthquake.
In the statements issued here, Asfandyar and Hoti expressed sympathies with the deceased families in Ziarat, Peshini and Lorlai and pray for speedy recovery of injured.
They directed the office bearers and party workers in Balochistan to help quake victims.


Over 100 dead in Balochistan quake
QUETTA: More than 100 people have been killed in an earthquake struck parts of Balochistan whereas scores of people still trapped under the rubbles.
Dozend of injured are under treatment as government has imposed emergency in all the hospitals of the province.
Pishin, Ziarat, Qila Abdullah, Chaman, Loralai, Sibbi, Mastung are hit badly areas. Several houses and buildings have been collapsed.
According to geological survey of Pakistan, the epicenter of the quake was in Chiltan mountains. Ziarat is the worst hit area where 10 people were killed after land sliding whereas four people were killed in Khanozai. Death toll in different parts of Balchistan has reached to 33. Ten bodies had recovered from the rubbles and shifted to hospital in Ziarat.
According to ISPR, contingents of FC have been dispatched in affected areas for rescue operations along with medical team. Two army helicopters have also been sent in Wachun and Kowas villages for rescue operations.
Deputy director of geological survey of Pakistan Asif Rana told Geo News that more aftershocks are expected in these areas within next 48 hours.


Army contingents, helicopters reach quake-hit areas
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan army contingents and two army helicopters reached in quake-hit areas of Balohistan to take part in rescue operation.
According to ISPR, two army helicopters have been sent from Quetta to Warchun and Kowas. FC contingents from Pishni and medical teams have also sent reached in the areas.


Balochistan quake toll soars to 35
QUETTA: The death toll of quake that hit parts of Balochistan on Wednesday morning has reached to thirty-five.
Pishin, Ziarat, Qila Abdullah, Chaman, Loralai, Sibbi, Mastung are hit badly areas. Several houses and buildings have been collapsed.
According to meteorological department the epicenter of the quake was in Chiltan mountains. Ziarat is the worst hit area where 10 people were killed after land sliding whereas four people were killed in Khanozai. Death toll in different parts of Balchistan has reached to 33. Ten bodies had recovered from the rubbles and shifted to hospital in Ziarat.
According to ISPR, contingents of FC have been dispatched in affected areas for rescue operations along with medical team. Two army helicopters have also been sent in Wachun and Kowas villages for rescue operations.
IGFC Major General Salim Nawaz said that so far 20 to 30 people have been killed in the quake.


Balochistan quake toll mounts to 32
QUETTA: The death toll of Balochistan quake has reached to 32 on Wednesday.
14 killed, 16 injured in Balochistan quake
CHAMAN: An earthquake of magnitude 6.2 that hit Balochistan province in south-western Pakistan, shortly before dawn has left 14 people dead while 16 others were critically injured who later shifted to hospitals nearby.
It struck 70km (45 miles) north of Queeta at 04:09 am Tuesday) at a depth of 10km, the U.S. Geological Survey said.
Reports said several people have been treated for minor injuries. Things are OK so far," city police officer Salahuddin told the media.
"There were two tremors, the second one was serious and people rushed out of their houses," said Amjad Hussain, a resident of Quetta.
A hospital official told Geo News that 15 people had received treatment for minor injuries, mostly caused when mud walls collapsed or in the ensuing panic.
More tremors have been received here on Wednesday early morning, which has triggered panic amid screams amid people.

Three killed, 10 injured in Balochistan quake
CHAMAN: An earthquake of magnitude 6.2 has hit Balochistan province in south-western Pakistan, shortly before dawn which left three people dead while 10 others were injured who later shifted to hospitals nearby.
It struck 70km (45 miles) north of Queeta at 04:09 am Tuesday) at a depth of 10km, the U.S. Geological Survey said.
Reports said several people have been treated for minor injuries. Things are OK so far," city police officer Salahuddin told the media.
"There were two tremors, the second one was serious and people rushed out of their houses," said Amjad Hussain, a resident of Quetta.
A hospital official told Geo News that 15 people had received treatment for minor injuries, mostly caused when mud walls collapsed or in the ensuing panic.