Terrible Natural Disasters in the World

Thousands Dead in 7.6 Magnitude Earthquake in South Asia

Dozens of people have died in a powerful earthquake measuring 7.6 on the Richter scale that struck the region on the morning of October 8, affecting Pakistan, India, and Afghanistan. Authorities fear that the final death toll could be “very high” due to the widespread devastation caused by the earthquake.

Approximately 40,000 people in Pakistan have lost their lives, and around 41,000 have been injured in the earthquake in Kashmir. Tariq Farooq, who is responsible for labor and communication issues in the Pakistani-controlled part of Kashmir, stated: “Our preliminary estimates indicate that over 30,000 people have died in Kashmir.” He reported that many cities and towns have been completely destroyed.

In the F-10 area of the capital Islamabad, the 10-story Margalla Towers, which housed 60 apartments each (approximately 250 people), collapsed entirely when the earthquake struck. Twenty-four hours after the towers fell, rescuers managed to save only one woman and one child, while retrieving 18 bodies from the rubble.

A state of emergency has been declared. All hospitals have been ordered to open their doors for the emergency treatment of earthquake victims. Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz surveyed the earthquake-hit areas and directed rescue operations. Aftershocks are expected to continue for several days, prompting residents to evacuate their homes.

President Musharraf has established a relief fund, which he will personally oversee, and has called on Pakistanis both at home and abroad to contribute to the earthquake victims. At the residence of Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, a relief coordination office has been set up with a hotline for citizens to provide information. On October 9, the Pakistani government declared a three-day national mourning period to honor the earthquake victims.

According to local security officials, among the casualties are more than 200 Pakistani soldiers in Kashmir and 400 students from two schools in the region. Due to concerns about aftershocks, hospital doctors in the area have been treating patients outdoors to avoid the risk of building collapses.

Military and professional rescue teams have been deployed to mountainous regions, and helicopters have been mobilized to transport medical supplies. Official authorities have ordered an increase in transport aircraft and helicopters to respond to urgent rescue needs.

Islamabad continues to clear debris from collapsed high-rise buildings following the earthquake. Local media reported that rescue teams managed to save some individuals from the rubble last night.

In the night following the earthquake, Islamabad experienced further mild tremors, with scientists recording 45 aftershocks, the strongest reaching a magnitude of 6.0 on the Richter scale. Experts predict that the region may experience additional strong tremors in the coming days.

There are numerous reports of casualties in cities and villages across northern Pakistan, India, and southern Afghanistan.

Regarding the cause of this earthquake, Chinese experts suggest that the increased movement of the Indian tectonic plate colliding with the Eurasian plate has been the “culprit” behind this major earthquake.

Zhang Xiaodong, Deputy Director of the China Earthquake Networks Center, explained that there are two collision zones, referred to as “connection points,” between the Indian and Eurasian plates—one in the Pamir region at the northwest corner of the Indian plate and another in the Axamu area at the northeast corner, near the border of Myanmar and the Chinese provinces of Yunnan and Tibet.

The earthquake on October 8 occurred at the “connection point” in the northwest of the Indian plate. If we relate this to the two significant earthquakes that struck on December 26, 2004, and March 29, 2005, in the Sumatra region of Indonesia, which lies at the eastern boundary of the Indian plate, we can conclude that the Indian plate is colliding more forcefully with the Eurasian plate.

Devastation in Islamabad after the earthquake.

In a message to Pakistani President Musharraf, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh offered assistance for relief and rescue operations. In the Indian-controlled part of Kashmir, at least 583 people have died, including some soldiers, and at least 800 have been injured; more than 2,700 homes have been completely destroyed or severely damaged. On the same day, the Indian cabinet held an emergency meeting to assess the earthquake situation and discuss recovery measures. The government has decided to allocate 1 billion rupees (approximately 22 million USD) to support the Kashmir administration in addressing the aftermath of the earthquake.

Global Assistance for South Asia’s Earthquake Recovery

A 9-member delegation from the United Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination (UNDAC) team arrived in Pakistan on October 9 to assist with recovery efforts. On the same day, the UK dispatched a second relief team to Pakistan, while neighboring Afghanistan announced it would send aircraft, medical personnel, and 3 tons of medicine to Pakistan.

UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan and many world leaders sent condolences to the government and people of Pakistan, offering humanitarian aid and rescue teams. The World Bank (WB) has committed 20 million USD in aid to Pakistan, while the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has also provided 10 million USD in emergency assistance to the hardest-hit areas. The European Commission (EC) announced it would support 3.6 million Euros (4.3 million USD).

UNICEF has also begun delivering relief supplies to the country. The UK announced emergency aid of 100,000 pounds (176,000 USD), the US committed 100,000 USD, and Australia sent medical supplies and rescue equipment valued at 380,000 USD.

The French government reported that it is sending an emergency rescue team of 25 personnel, while Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy pledged to provide “any assistance Pakistan may need.” The Irish government has also committed to an initial support of 1 million Euros. In Berlin, German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer announced that Germany has immediately provided 50,000 Euros in aid to Pakistan, while Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder sent a letter of condolence to Pakistani and Indian leaders.

Japan Sends 50 Emergency Rescue Teams to Pakistan

Russia has sent a plane carrying 30 rescue workers along with search dogs and supplies to Islamabad, scheduled to land in the Pakistani capital at 2 PM on October 9.

US President George W. Bush announced that aid is on its way to the victims. In a statement issued by the White House on the evening of October 8, Bush said: “The American people send their deepest condolences for the loss and devastation caused by the earthquake near Islamabad. We are deploying relief efforts and are ready to provide additional support if needed.”

Chinese leaders, including President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao, have also expressed their condolences and deep sorrow for those who lost their lives in the earthquake to President Musharraf. Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad declared that Iran is ready to assist Pakistan in any way possible, stating, “Our country is prepared to provide everything for Pakistan… and we share in the pain of our Pakistani brothers.”

Landslide in Guatemala: 1,400 Dead

Pakistani people mourning their loved ones lost in the Kashmir earthquake.

On October 9, rescue workers in Guatemala reported that approximately 1,400 people have died under the massive landslides in the village of Panabaj, Guatemala. In some areas, the landslide was up to 12 meters thick.

This disaster resulted from a week of heavy rainfall caused by Tropical Storm Stan.

The landslides began on October 5 but only on October 8 was the first information about this disaster reported. Rescue operations only commenced two days after the landslides occurred.

Hectorsicaja, the rescue coordinator, stated: “The landslides buried many homes. In some places, the landslide is 5 meters thick. We are working from the rooftops of houses.”

Currently, villagers and exhausted rescue workers are still digging to find more people who may be trapped, but they are considering declaring the area a mass grave.

In 1998, a storm caused approximately 10,000 deaths in Central America, primarily due to landslides.