PKKH Exclusive|By Talha Ibraheem and A.A.Siddique
Yesterday a powerful earth quake centered in Iranian town Sarawan, jolted South Asia and Middle East. Recorded 7.8 Richter scale by the United States Geological Survey, the quake generated 50 miles below the earth surface.
Our correspondents in the Mashkeel area of Pakistan side Balochistan claims that at least 34 people have died and more than 80 are injured.
Initial estimates presented a much gruesome picture, with independent rescue workers reiterating that 74000 people have been directly or indirectly affected, and are without homes and lacking basic necessities. Iranian authorities are reporting that around dozen were injured, and no dead cases have come into their notice.
Till late Tuesday evening, JUD rescue team reached the crisis area, along with Army doctors and FC paramilitary forces that have set their camps and are involved in rescue operations.
Twitter was abuzz with the rescue operations of Pakistan Army and Jamat-ud-Dawa.
Confusions & Complications in Relief efforts.
Generated 26 miles away from the Pakistan border, the epicenter of the quake was 51 miles beneath the surface in Sistaan. The brunt of the tremors was felt as far as New Delhi, Jeddah and Dubai.
Rugged mountainous terrain has made the rescue operations difficult in both the countries. According to Shahid, the rescue team co-coordinator of JUD, the casualty figures are expected to rise. “Complete picture would emerge in a day or two”, he said; citing harsh terrain as the reason.
The Iranian officials backtracked on the initial version of 40 dead, made by Iran’s official Fars news agency. Sistaan Governor Hatam Narouie told the news outlet to rely on Crisis office report instead of relying on independent facts. “No one was killed”, reiterated Reza Arbabi, the crisis office director.
This self assured response of Iranian official came in the wake of international response on nuclear safety measures. On April 9, a 6.3 magnitude earthquake had struck in Bushehr nuclear power station, killing around 40 people and injuring more than 800.
Iranian expert Ali Vaez of the International Crisis Group stated, “…the recent tremors are ominous reminders of how earthquake prone Iran’s terrain truly is and how critical it is for the Iranian government to be prepared for a nuclear emergency.”
Responses from Government of Pakistan
President Asif Ali Zardari expressed his deep sorrow over the loss of precious lives and destruction. He also offered assistance to the Iranian government.
“People of Pakistan are standing shoulder to shoulder with their Iranian brothers in this hour of trial,” President Zardari said.
Aftershocks
According to a local journalist monitoring the rescue operation, the earthquake after shocks of 6.0 Richter scale magnitude were also felt in the area on Wednesday morning.
Talha Ebraheem is a research associate at PKKH. He can be reached atahlatibr@hotmail.com
Dr. Aaminah Siddique, pharmacist/ freelance writer; interests: religion/human psychology; blogs at The Dead Poets Sanctuary