The 7.6 magnitude earthquake struck northern Pakistan on October 8, 2005, with its epicenter near Muzaffarabad. It was the strongest earthquake to hit the region in over a century. The earthquake and subsequent aftershocks destroyed buildings and infrastructure, devastating villages and small towns. Thousands were killed, especially large numbers of children either in schools or because they comprised half the population in the affected areas. International aid and rescue teams were urgently needed and arrived to search for survivors and provide relief.

1. Kashmir Earthquake 8th October 2005

2. This is another major natural disaster following on from the Tsunami at Christmas 2004 and Hurricane Katrina in August 2005

3. The 7.6-magnitude earthquake took place on Saturday 8th October at 0925 local time. The epicentre was Muzzaffarabad the capital of the Pakistan administered region of Kashmir, 80km north-east of Islamabad.

4. It is thought to be the strongest earthquake to hit the region in a century. It was followed by 20 powerful aftershocks “ Many villages have been wiped off the face of the earth” President Musharraf

5. A destroyed military building in Kuri http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/4325784.stm

6. BBC news http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/4321490.stm#map The effects of the earthquake were felt as far away as Lahore

7. Effects of the earthquake An entire generation of young people has been wiped out in the areas worst hit Children have been the biggest number of casualties as many had just started lessons when the earthquake struck and were killed when their schools collapsed . Children made up half the population of the affected area and were particularly vulnerable, UNICEF has said.

8. The children and other survivors will be vulnerable to hunger,cold illness and trauma . “ We slept in the open fields last night. There were no tents, no food everything is gone. We all rushed out only to see our house going down in front of our own eyes.” 13 year old pupil

9. "All official buildings have collapsed" Landslides have blocked all access roads to Muzaffarabad, where there is no electricity and telephones . http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/4323008.stm Aerial photograph of the total devastation

10. In Balakot, where two schools collapsed, relatives were frantically digging with bare hands for the several hundred children trapped inside. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/4323008.stm

11. Aid needed President Musharraf appealed for: “ tents, medicines, money and helicopters - the bigger the better” Why would these items be required ?

12. Offers of aid Foreign NGOs e.g. Oxfam, UNICEF, International Red Cross Foreign governments e.g. U.K, Malaysia http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/4321490.stm

13. By Sunday some foreign rescue teams had arrived. Members of the International Rescue Corps, have used life-detecting sensors to locate a thirteen-year-old boy from under the rubble. With thousands already dead, many in Kashmir have been highly critical of the government's relief efforts and say it's too little, too late.

14. The international rescue teams are working with specialised equipment such as CO2 sniffers and snake-eye cameras to move through the building. They have special listening equipment and specially trained dogs to help them too. Rescue teams

15. The once-thriving town of Balakot has suffered extensive damage. The toll is expected to rise to about 8,000. 70 bodies have been pulled from the wreckage of the collapsed schools, but as many as 650 children may have been buried in the rubble. About 200 soldiers are also thought to have been killed by landslides and falling debris. The death toll continues to rise.

16. How did the earthquake occur The earthquake in Pakistan is the result of India's long-term, gradual, geological movement north into Asia at a speed of five centimetres a year - a millimetre per week . http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/4322582.stm

17. Earthquake animation http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/4126809.stm

18. Interactive maps and links http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/4322624.stm http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/4327116.stm

19. The total death toll in the region is thought to be over 20,000 (10th October) Many are missing feared dead. Many people in the U.K. have relatives in this area. They are desperately trying to get news of their families.

20. What can we do ?