India, UN, US offer Pakistan help after quake

Islamabad, Oct 27: The international community has offered help to deal with Monday's earthquake, as Pakistan assesses the damage to property and loss of life.

Over 200 people were killed and around 1,620 were injured while 2,520 houses were damaged in Pakistan due to the quake that hit parts of South Asian region, with epicentre in the Hindu Kush mountains, news agency quoted Pakistan's National Disaster Management Authority as saying.

Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif convened a high-level emergency meeting on Tuesday to review the rescue and relief activities, the Prime Minister's office said.

Officials said the toll could rise further as communication system has been damaged in remote areas.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has offered help to Pakistan and Afghanistan after the quake hit the two countries and India, his spokesman said.

"United Nations agencies are mobilising and stand ready to support government-led relief operations in both countries, if requested," a statement issued by Stéphane Dujarric said.

Pakistan's permanent representative to the UN, Maleeha Lodhi is likely to brief UN officials about the situation in the area.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi called Sharif after the powerful quake shook Pakistan and "offered assistance for earthquake relief," the Prime Minister's Office in Islamabad said.

The US said its partners are currently assessing the level of damage and monitoring the situation on the ground in Pakistan and Afghanistan.

"The US is in touch with governments throughout the region and stands ready, as always, to provide assistance at this difficult time," US State Department spokesperson John Kirby said.

IANS