QUETTA EARTHQUAKE OFFICIAL FIGURES

Evening Post, Volume CXX, Issue 12, 13 July 1935, Page 11

QUETTA EARTHQUAKE

OFFICIAL FIGURES

CITY CLOSED UNDER GUARD

(From "The Post's" Representative.) LONDON, June 22.

In replying to questions in the House of Commons, Mr. Butler (Un-der-Secretary to the India Office), gave official figures regarding the earthquake at Quetta. The range -Sit the earthquake, he said, is estimated at having been 130 miles long and 20 miles broad. ' Besides, Quetta and the towns of Kalat and Mastung at • least 100 villages have'been-totally destroyed. -It is feared that the total death-roll, including the countryside, is probably more than 40,000. European casual ties amount to about 190 killed ■ and 240 injured. In Quetta itself, out of a population of 45,000, between 20,000 and 30,000 have been killed. The number of destitute refugees is estimated at not less than 15,000, of whom many, thousands are injured.

Some 30,000 Indians and 6000 Europeans, including troops, have been. fed in the refugee camps. Evacuation is- steadily proceeding. Arrangements have been made for the evacuation of between 700 and 800 members of European families; who will be accommodated at Karachi pending provision of passage. Salvage : operations were commenced on June 4, but had to be suspended for hygienic reasons, and in the interests of public health the city remains closed under guard. Such operations as ■ are consistent with safety and public health are being earned on..

Mr. Kirkipatrick asked whether the attention of the Under-Secretary had been drawn to the statement that all those buildings which were built by earthquake-proof methods escaped damage, and if he would have the policy of the Government of India with regard to earthquakeproof building investigated.

Mr. Butler said ho understood that the Government of India had already paid attention to this subject, and that he would bring the hon. member's observations to their atten-