Fears of higher toll as Pakistan earthquake deaths rise to 73,276

PAKISTAN yesterday dramatically increased the official death toll from the devastating earthquake that hit the north of the country last month to 73,276 and said it could rise further.

Federal Relief Commissioner Major-General Farooq Ahmed Khan said the sharp rise from a figure of 57,600 given a day earlier could be related to concerted efforts to clear debris since the October 8 disaster.

“Unfortunately the death toll has risen to 73,276 and the number of injured is over 69,000,” he told a news conference.