South Asia Quake Death Toll Over 79,000

[callady]

South Asia Quake Death Toll Over 79,000


Wednesday October 19, 2005 11:46 AM

By RIAZ KHAN

Associated Press Writer

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (AP) - New figures released by regional officials on Wednesday pushed the death toll in South Asia's earthquake to more than 79,000, about half each in Pakistani-held Kashmir and the country's North West Frontier Province.

The figures are significantly higher than the official death toll of 42,000 put out each day by the central government, whose count has lagged behind the local count since the early days of the disaster.

Asif Iqbal Daudzai, information minister for the North West Frontier Province, told The Associated Press that 37,958 people died in the province and at least 23,172 were injured, the vast majority of them in Mansehra district. He said the figures were based on reports from local government and hospital officials in the area.

In addition, 40,000 people died in Pakistani-held Kashmir, which is not part of the North West Frontier Province. India has reported 1,360 deaths in the part of Kashmir that it controls.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,1280,-5354133,00.html

With over 500,000 refugees in need of aid. Staggering.

[Sabriel]

1. Time to pull out the checkbook again

It's going to be an even leaner winter than I thought, if this disaster trend continues. I'm just about tapped out, or more so.

[JoFerret]

2. Absolutely

And time to call congresspeople and pressure for additional aid.