(AFP) – Oct 29, 2008

GENEVA (AFP) — Thousands may have lost their homes and hundreds may have died in an earthquake that struck southwest Pakistan before dawn, the International Committee of the Red Cross said on Wednesday.

"There is no clear information yet on the number of dead or injured but initial reports indicate that hundreds of people may have been wounded or killed and that thousands may be without shelter," said Andrew Bartles-Smith, who leads an ICRC team at the southwestern city of Quetta.

Earlier, Dilawar Kakar, the mayor of the historic hill town of Ziarat, about 50 kilometres (30 miles) north of the city of Quetta, told AFP the death toll had risen to 170, while about 400 people in the area were injured.

Ziarat district, which has a population of about 50,000, has been reported to be the hardest hit, said the ICRC.

The other two districts affected by the earthquake are Pashin and Killa Saifullah, added the ICRC.

Two ICRC teams have arrived at onsite where they are assessing the situation and needs.

The two teams have reported that aftershocks are continuing and residents are staying outdoors in the cold, said the ICRC.

The ICRC is also planning to send medical kits to the region, with a surgical and medical team to fly in from Peshawar on Thursday.

Meanwhile, the Pakistan Red Crescent Society has dispatched two teams to the region to distribute relief supplies for 100 families.

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies is also sending a support team to the region, including a disaster management expert, a health specialist and an information officer.

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