Earthquake

[jasmine]

Pakistan says more than 1,000 people may have died in a powerful quake that also hit north India and Afghanistan.

The quake with a magnitude of at least 7.6 had the epicentre was 80km (50 miles) north-east of Islamabad.

At least 500 died in North-West Frontier province in Pakistan and 1,700 were injured. In Indian-administered Kashmir, 200 are confirmed dead.

Rescuers are trying to reach dozens of residents feared trapped in a building that collapsed in Islamabad.

Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf, who was visiting the site, said the quake was a "test of the nation".

news.bbc.co.uk


This year has been the worst I have known for natural disasters

[Mirela]

These disasters seem to happen in waves...there's nothing for ages then they all happen at once. It makes you realise how lucky you are to live in this country...

[jasmine]

Update

Pakistan says more than 19,000 have been killed by Saturday's huge earthquake, and it is feared the death toll could climb much further.

More than 42,000 people are believed to be injured, said the interior minister.

The death toll in Indian-administered Kashmir has risen to more than 550, after the bodies of 250 people were found in one town alone.

At least two schools in north-west Pakistan are known to have been destroyed by the powerful earthquake, killing at least 400 children.

Witnesses have spoken of seeing dozens of other schools flattened in villages across the mountainous region.

Schoolchildren would have been settling down to morning lessons when the quake hit at 0850 (0350GMT) on Saturday.

bbc.news.co.uk

[Bee Bee]

It certainly does seem to have been a dreadful year, for so many people.

I find such devastation incomprehensible and cannot imagine how those who survive can possibly begin to rebuild their lives. Hopefully they will start getting the aid through to those who need it.