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Aftershocks fuel fear, demand for shelter in Pakistan quake zone

Other News Materials 31 October 2008 08:24 (UTC +04:00)

Villagers too scared to sleep in the houses spared by the earthquake in southwestern Pakistan have swelled the need for shelter as assistance pours in for the estimated 15,000 people made homeless in the freezing mountains, the Associated Press reported.

The 6.4-magnitude quake struck an impoverished region close to the Afghan border early Wednesday, killing some 215 people.

While the quake destroyed around 3,000 homes, those forced to sleep in the open or in tents have been joined by others too terrified by aftershocks to sleep in houses still standing.

Experts say the aftershocks will continue for days.

Officials have told people not to sleep in the typical mud and timber homes reduced to rubble.

That has increased the size of the required relief effort, which began in earnest on Thursday.

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