Interior minister confirms 348 earthquake deaths

Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan says 348 people confirmed dead in the 7.7 intensity of powerful earthquake that struck Balochistan province on Tuesday.

Nisar told the National Assembly that the death toll can further rise as some areas are still inaccessible due to lack of roads.

He said that C-130 military transport will start transporting relief goods to the affected areas on Thursday.

He said that the earthquake has affected five hundred kilometers area in Balochistan and Awaran and Kech are the most affected areas.

He said that all the relevant departments are taking part in the rescue and relief operations. He said that one thousand Army personnel are also involved in helping the affected populations.

Chaudhry Nisar said the army-run National Logestic Cell has also been mobilized to transport relief goods to the quake-hit areas.

The Minister assured the House that the government will leave no stone unturned in providing every possible help to the affected people.

He advised the political parties to avoid point scoring on this national tragedy and instead demonstrate unity.

The federal ministers Abdul Qadir Baloch and Jam Kaml visited Tehsil Mashkay on Thursday where they were briefed over the rescue and relief operations.

The Ministers were informed that Army has set up a medical camp in the Tehsil and doctors‚ and surgeons are treating the injured.

Federal Ministers Abdul Qadir Baloch and Jam Kaml have directed the authorities concerned to utilize all available resources for extending every possible help to the quake affected people.

Reports said that helicopter of the Chairman Major General, Saeed Aleem, Pakistan’s National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), escaped a rocket fire when he was heading to Mashkil area in Balochistan.

A senior security official says most of the affected areas are highly risky for relief workers as insurgents operate there.

Section of the media had earlier reported firing on a doctors’ team on Tuesday however no was hurt.

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Posted by Tahir Khan on Sep 26 2013. Filed under Latest News, National, Pakistan. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.