ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: A total 248 people have been killed with 4393 houses partially or completely destroyed due to a massive earthquake that struck Pakistan on Monday afternoon, according to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).
Talking to media in Islamabad on Tuesday, the NDMA Chairman Major General Asghar Nawaz told that the Federally Administrated Tribal Areas (FATA) and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province are the largely effected areas.
However, according to unconfirmed reports, the death toll in yesterday’s earthquake has risen to 354 in the country while more than 2500 people sustained injuries.
Most number of people have died in Shangla district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa where death toll stands at 57 whereas 28 people were killed in Swat, 37 in Chitral, 24 in Lower Dir, 22 in Upper Dir, 29 in Bajaur, 19 in Tor Ghar, 19 in Kohistan, 15 in Buner, 12 in Mansehra/Hazara, eight in Hangu and six each in Peshawar, Swabi, Charsadda and Mohmand Agency.
Pakistan #Earthquake updates after PM’s briefing in Sanghal 2:30pm, Oct 27, Death toll now 354 (all sources local) pic.twitter.com/DwTtFDpK1X
— Khalid Khan™ (@khalidkhan787) October 27, 2015
Federal govt to provide all possible assistance, support to earthquake-affected KPK, FATA
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif presided over a high level meeting in Islamabad on Tuesday on the damages and measures taken following yesterday’s earthquake in the country.
During the meeting, the prime minister said that the Federal Government will provide all possible assistance and support to the adversely affected province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and FATA.
The prime minister that the government would announce a relief package for the affectees of the earthquake after comprehensive assessment reports by the concerned authorities.
Sharif applauded the efforts and quick responses by Pakistan Army, National Highways Authority (NHA), NDMA and Provincial Disaster Management Authorities in the aftermath of the natural calamity.
“Every effort will be made to help the fellow citizens in distress,” the prime minister said.
Nawaz Sharif said that the state resources will be fully utilized and provided to assist the provincial governments in rescue, relief and rehabilitation of the affected people.
The meeting was briefed by Chairman NDMA and Director General Military Operations on the damages caused by the earthquake. It was told that NHA has cleared all the vital roads and is effectively working to clear the remaining ones.
It was also told that the SUPARCO is providing pre and post imagery of the earthquake affected areas to the concerned authorities for carrying out rescue work.
EQ Update 27th:Damage assessment Effort;ISR mission flying,DG FWO at KKH with Troops,addition to ground teams,2 helis each flying in GB&KP-1 — AsimBajwa (@AsimBajwaISPR) October 27, 2015
EQ:27 of 45 land slides cleared by FWO at KKH,work continues.Rescue teams spread in GB,30% capacity of all CMHs across country enhanced-2
— AsimBajwa (@AsimBajwaISPR) October 27, 2015
EQ:C-130 left for Chitral with 7 tons ration,2500 ready meals,addl med teams,1000 tents, blankets.Will be distributed in remote areas-3
— AsimBajwa (@AsimBajwaISPR) October 27, 2015
EQ:Despatched by road For Dir;20 tons ration,10,000 ready to eat meals,1000 tents,500 blankets.Relief Camp,ration distr pt established-4 — AsimBajwa (@AsimBajwaISPR) October 27, 2015