Thousands of people slept in the open air or in makeshift shelters for a second night
as the death toll from Pakistan's massive earthquake rose to 348 on Thursday. The
battle continued for rescuers on Thursday to reach the many people affected by a magnitude
7.7 earthquake that struck Pakistan’s Baluchistan province on Tuesday. The region
is one of the most impoverished in the country and many mud bricked homes where completely
flattened in the Awaran district where the quake was centred leaving residents homeless. The
government, departments, Pakistan’s army they are providing immediate emergency shelter
and emergency food… “…compared to the other provinces in Pakistan Baluchisatan
is a marginized province, we can say.” Caritas Pakistan is providing relief to
the stricken people of the region. Director Amjad Gulzar government departments
are also providing support. “The government, departments, Pakistan’s army
they are providing immediate emergency shelter and emergency food…” Many of the
injured were taken to the port city of Karachi or Quetta, the capital of Baluchistan,
for treatment as medical facilities in Awaran lacked enough supplies and qualified
personnel. This region of the country is prone to earthquakes. Last April a magnitude
7.8 quake centered just across the border in Iran killed at least 35 people in Pakistan.
Listen to Lydia O'Kane's report