Sunday, October 09, 2005
30,000 BELIEVED DEAD
Fatality estimates from the earthquake that struck border regions of Pakistan, India, and Afghanistan overnight were horrifying to begin with, and became desperately worse thoughout the day:
Fifteen hours ago: 1000 dead
Thirteen hours ago: 2000
Nine hours ago: 3000 dead, including 200 Pakistani soldiers and 400 schoolchildren from a single province.
Seven hours ago: 4000
One hour ago: 18,000
In the past hour: 30,000 dead, and, according to a government minister, the villages of Jaglari, Kufalgarh, Harigal and Baniyali completely destroyed.
We need to donate again. At least match the sums donated following the Boxing Day tsunami and Hurricane Katrina. Will post charity contacts as they are announced.
UPDATE. Mahmood points out that, adding to difficulties, the earthquake struck at a time when many in the region would have been fasting. He recommends the South Asia Quake Help site, providing news and links on aid and volunteer work.