Rescue operation in full swing as Paksitan-Afghanistan quake toll rises to 350
(Xinhua) Updated: 2015-10-27 23:27
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Army soldiers load sacks of food aid on a helicopter, to distribute in earthquake stricken areas in Peshawar, Pakistan October 27, 2015.[Photo/Agencies] |
Two army helicopters were also participating in ongoing relief missions, one in the KPK and another in the Gilgit Baltistan area which was also badly hit by the strong earthquake.
Spokesperson of the Pakistan Red Crescent Society (PRCS) Khalid bin Majeed said their workers have rescued and gave on-the-spot treatment to more than 500 injured people in all affected areas and shifted them to hospitals.
The Medical teams of the PRSC have established camps in Malakand division and Chitral, which are the most affected regions with less medical facilities.
The international community, including India, the United States, China and the UN, have expressed sorrow over the losses of lives and offered help to quake victims.
The quake rocked Paksitan and neighboring Afghanistan at about 2:09 p.m. local time (0909 GMT) and its epicenter was located in Mount Hindu Kush along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, with a depth of 193 km.
The meteorological office said over 20 aftershocks followed the major shock in the same area.
Meanwhile, Afghan President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani said on Tuesday that the death toll of the earthquake in Afghanistan has risen to 115 while the number of injuries has gone up to 538.
A total of 7,630 homes, 12 schools, 17 mosques, 20 office buildings have been damaged in nine provinces, Ghani said on his twitter account.
Rescue and relief workers increased emergency response to victims of the deadly disaster in northern and eastern provinces.
Monday's earthquake was also strongly felt in northern India and Indian-controlled Kashmir. Officials said four people were killed in the tremor.
Three died in Srinagar, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir, while scores of people suffered injuries across Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand.
Houses were damaged in Srinagar, Budgam, Baramulla, Kupwara, Bandipora, Anantnag and Shopian in Indian-controlled Kashmir, with reports of injuries.
