South Asia quake toll tops 42,000
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, Oct. 11 (UPI) -- Desperate Pakistani earthquake
survivors Tuesday ambushed army trucks carrying relief supplies as the
death toll in Pakistan and India topped 42,000.
Severe storms hampered rescue efforts Tuesday, when death count reached
41,000 even though remote areas had not yet been reached. An Islamic
Relief spokesman told CNN he thought the death toll would reach
"80,000, maybe more."
More than 1,200 died in India from Saturday's 7.6-magnitude quake
centered in Muzaffarabad, the capital of Pakistan-administered Kashmir.
"Kashmir has turned into a graveyard," said Sikander Hayat Khan, prime
minister of Pakistani Kashmir.
A World Food Program spokesman said 132 tons of ready-to-eat meals
arrived Tuesday and another 88 tons was on the way. Desperate survivors
ambushed caravans carrying relief supplies and looted shops, reports
said.
Up to 5 million people were homeless in freezing temperatures.
Relief teams from Britain, France, Iran, Japan, Russia, Spain and
United Arab Emirates mounted rescue operations.
The United States pledged $50 million and provided air support to
evacuate victims. Canada pledged $20 million in disaster relief.
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