Howrah News Service -  Latest news and headlines on Howrah,West Bengal and World: 72 killed, 100 hurt in Kyrgyz quake

72 killed, 100 hurt in Kyrgyz quake
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ASIANAGE on 06 October, 2008 03:22:49
 
Bishkek, Oct. 6: The toll in the 6.6-magnitude earthquake that hit southern
Kyrgyzstan on Sunday night has risen to 72, with authorities saying on Monday
the number of casualties could grow as many were feared trapped under the
rubble.
More than 100 people were also injured and some 120 buildings were destroyed in
the devastating quake that struck near the former Soviet republic’s densely
populated border area with China in the southern province of Osh.
"The rescue operation at the site of the tragedy is continuing and the figure
(of the deaths) is not final," said Mr Kamchibek Tashiyev, spokesperson for the
health ministry.
The bodies of 25 people have been pulled out from the rubble in the Alaisky
district.
Mr Tashiyev said the earthquake also destroyed the high-altitude village of
Nura on Kyrgyzstan’s border with China, which was the epicentre of the
earthquake. The village has a population of around 1,000 people.
A total of 38 people, including seven children, have been evacuated from the
worst-hit areas by helicopters, the official said. The search for survivors and
casualties is ongoing, and seismologists have warned that new aftershocks could
hit the region this week.
Kyrgyz President Kurmanbek Bakiyev has cancelled all his schedule for Tuesday
and is expected to visit the affected areas, his spokesperson said. Mr Bakiyev
has ordered the government to provide aid to the quake victims and deal with the
immediate aftermath of the disaster.
—RIA Novosti