Pray for the Suffering in South Asia — 7.6 Magnitude Earthquake

A massive earthquake in northern Pakistan and India has killed as many as 30,000 people in the Hindu Kush mountains alone, according to some recent estimates. The quake struck Saturday morning but, due to the remote nature of the quake-damages areas, the massive nature of the destruction was not evident until later on Saturday.

A major international rescue and assistance effort is underway. Pakistan President Gen. Pervez Musharraf asked for large helicopters to assist in finding victims in remoate areas.

The city of Muzaffarabad, capital of the Azad Kashmir region, was the most devastated major city. Some sources claim that this earthquake is the worst natural disaster in Pakistan’s history.

The International Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention will be responding with direct assistance to these areas.