Pakistan quake toll tops 57 000
2005-11-01 15:14
Islamabad - The death toll in Pakistan from last month's massive earthquake has risen to more than 57 000, said Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Tuesday.
Aziz said the October 8 quake that devastated Pakistani Kashmir and North West Frontier Province was a major disaster that also left thousands injured.
He said: "The calamity made a large number of children orphans and many women widows."
He was speaking during a debate in the lower house on relief and rescue efforts in the affected areas.
On Wednesday, interior minister Aftab Sherpao put the toll at 54 000 dead and 77 000 injured. He said the death toll was likely to rise.
More than two-thirds of the casualties had been reported from Pakistani Kashmir, while about 18 000 died in North West Frontier Province.
The quake also killed more than 1 300 in India.
- AFP