Shock, sadness as world offers sympathy over South Asian quake

ISLAMABAD, Monday (AFP) World leaders expressed shock and sadness over a quake that devastated parts of South Asia as the true scope of the disaster unfolded with more than 20,000 deaths being reported.

UN chief Kofi Annan said he was "deeply saddened by the loss of life and destruction" caused by the earthquake as a UN team left Geneva for Islamabad.

Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf made an urgent appeal for money and helicopters to get aid to the worst affected zones - the rugged terrain of the North West Frontier Province and the towering Himalayan mountains of Kashmir.

"We do seek international assistance," he was quoted as saying by the Associated Press of Pakistan.

The global outpouring of sympathy has been matched by aid pledges, with European Union first to respond by earmarking up to three million euros (3.6 million dollars) for the rescue effort.

The World Bank has offered 20 million dollars to Pakistan to help deal with the "enormous scale" of the tragedy, while the Asian Development Bank pledged 10 million dollars in immediate aid and assistance. US President George W. Bush on Sunday expressed his condolences to Pakistan and said the United States was ready "to help in any way we can".

Speaking to reporters in Washington after a meeting with Pakistani diplomats who briefed him on the damage caused by the quake, Bush said he had spoken to Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf and expressed "our nation's deepest condolences"."This is going to be the worst natural disaster in (Pakistan's) history.

Thousands of people have died, thousands are wounded, and the United States of America wants to help," he said.

The US president said eight helicopters were being dispatched to Pakistan as a first step, after a specific request for the versatile aircraft, which can get supplies and rescue teams to remote areas.Pope Benedict XVI said he was "deeply saddened" by the quake, which also injured more than 42,000 and left tens of thousands more homeless.

"I entrust all those who have died to the merciful love of God, and my most affectionate thoughts go to the thousands of injured and those who have lost their loved ones," the pope said in his Sunday angelus message to pilgrims in St. Peter's Square.

He prayed that "the international community would respond generously to the disaster" and for "strength and courage to all those who are involved in the rescue and reconstruction operation."

Pakistan's Interior Minister Aftab Sherpao told a news conference at least 19,136 people were already confirmed dead and 42,397 had been hurt, but that "casualties are increasing by the hour".

"We... are fearful that the casualty figures may mount," echoed EU aid commissioner Louis Michel as the bloc's member states scrambled to offer assistance.

In Britain, which has a sizeable Pakistani community, Foreign Secretary Jack Straw said in a statement the government was prepared to respond to "all demands" for help from Pakistan, and expressed "sadness" at the disaster.

Chinese President Hu Jintao sent his condolences to both India and Pakistan, expressing grief over the deaths and was also sending emergency teams to the region, state media reported.

"France is standing by Pakistan in this painful trial," said President Jacques Chirac, whose government was dispatching a 25-member emergency team, in a message to his Pakistani counterpart.

German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder sent letters of condolence to Pakistani and Indian leaders.

"The information (we have received) and the images we have of the earthquake that has struck your country fill us with sadness. Our thoughts go to the victims and their loved ones," he wrote to Musharraf.

Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin offered his country's "sincere condolences"."We extend our sincere condolences to the governments and the people of the region, and our thoughts are with the many citizens who have lost loved ones, homes and possessions," Martin said.

Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos telephoned his Pakistani counterpart Khursid M. Kasuri "to pass on the Spanish government's deep regret at the magnitude of the tragedy" and offered "whatever help Spain can provide".

Turkey, a frequent victim of deadly earthquakes, also offered aid to fellow Muslim country Pakistan, Anatolia news agency reported, quoting Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul."We are ready to provide every sort of help," Gul said. Turkey's neighbour Greece, which also suffers frequent tremors, pledged a team of search-and-rescue experts.

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad sent a message of condolence to his Pakistani counterpart and offered to send aid.Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, in a message to the Pakistani president, expressed his "profound pain" on learning about the devastation caused by the earthquake.

In Asia, Thailand, Indonesia and the Philippines all offered their sympathies as well as funds and medical materials.

South African President Thabo Mbeki conveyed his country's condolences to quake-hit South Asia and said his country was ready to assist where necessary.