Up to 2,000 killed in India quake; fear of aftershocks spreads

WEB EXCLUSIVE Satinder Bindra: Earthquake rescue efforts a race against time

In this story: Pakistan also hit Indian PM orders war footing Republic Day continues RELATED STORIES, SITES

AHMEDABAD, India (CNN) -- Fear gripped the Gujarat state of western India on Friday, triggered by aftershocks from a 7.9 magnitude earthquake that killed nearly 2,000, injured thousands, derailed trains and caused widespread power blackouts.

As rescue workers dug through the rubble with cranes, sticks, even bare hands in search of trapped survivors, others prepared to sleep in the streets fearing their damaged homes would collapse. Warnings were issued via television, radio, and hand-held loudspeakers urging residents to stay out of their homes.

Officials at the local command center said the death toll had risen to nearly 2,000, with more than 4,000 missing and another 2,000 injured. Another four people were killed in Pakistan.

VIDEO CNN's Satinder Bindra has more on the devastating earthquake that hit India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal Play video (QuickTime, Real or Windows Media)     RESOURCES When plates collide: a look at the causes of India's earthquake    MAGNITUDE GUIDE Below is an interactive guide to earthquake magnitude and severity: Magnitude: Less than 3.5 3.5 - 5.4 Under 6.0 6.1 - 6.9 7.0 - 7.9 8 or greater    GALLERY Images of devastation in India    AUDIO Indian Prime Minister Vajpayee considers government action and responses to the disaster 180K/32 sec. AIFF or WAV sound CNN's Satinder Bindra: Death rate increasing by the hour 180K/32 sec. AIFF or WAV sound India's Home Minister L K Advani on the known extent of damage 235K/42 sec. AIFF or WAV sound    ALSO Aid officials assess quake damage    MESSAGE BOARD India quake

The U.S. Geological Survey in Golden, Colorado, put the magnitude of the quake at 7.9 and said aftershocks could be expected for days or even weeks. The powerful quake was centered in the arid Gujarat state and was felt across Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal.

Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee called a meeting of his cabinet to discuss the emergency and urged utmost attention to relief efforts.

"A great tragedy has occurred. Many important parts of the country have been badly affected," he said. "This is the time for people to rally around and fight the calamity which has overtaken us."

The quake struck at 8:46 a.m., centered near the desert resort town of Bhuj about 290 kilometers (180 miles) southeast of Hyderabad, Pakistan. Most of the damage was reported in Ahmedabad the state's commercial center, about 400 kilometers (249 miles) away.

CNN's Suhasini Haider said officials are urging people to leave their damaged homes to prevent more deaths and injuries.

Gujarat's state home minister, Haren Pandya, said 100 buildings had collapsed throughout the province.

Rail lines were also damaged, reportedly causing some train derailments.

"The whole state has been affected. Communications have been disrupted all over the state," Pandya said.

Pakistan also hit

A 15-day old infant and an 8-year-old girl were killed in Pakistan's southern Sindh province, and four people were injured when a four-story building collapsed in the city of Hyderabad.

Journalist Aamer Ahmed told CNN the tremor was the strongest to hit this Pakistani region. Officials believe the number of dead could rise.

Pakistan's ruler, Gen. Pervez Musharraf, has sent a message to his Indian counterpart expressing sorrow at the deaths of the quake victims.

"I have been saddened at the tragic loss of life and property in the earthquake," he said. "The government and people of Pakistan share the grief of the bereaved families."

Indian PM orders war footing

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Vajpayee said he was "deeply pained and distressed" to learn about the earthquake.

"I urge all the concerned agencies of the central and state government to begin rescue, relief and rehabilitation operations on a war-footing," he said in a statement.

Vajpayee also appealed to citizens, charities and volunteer organizations to coordinate with the governmen to deal with the situation.

The Indian Meteorological Department says the quake was the most powerful to hit the region in half a century.

Republic Day continues

The quake did not disrupt Republic Day celebrations, which took place in India's capital, New Delhi, amid the tightest security in years, and following threats from Pakistan-based Muslim separatists against India's top leadership.

The tremor hit just before the parade, where thousands of police and soldiers were on alert against a terrorist attack.

Republic Day, marks India's transition to a democratic republic after independence from Britain in 1947.

CNN New Delhi Bureau Chief Satinder Bindra and Correspondent Suhasini Haider, The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.

More than 1,000 dead in India earthquake
January 26, 2001

U.S. Geological Survey
AmeriCares Foundation

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