The quake death toll in the North West Frontier Province, NWFP, of Pakistan has climbed up to 37,958 and more than 23,000 were injured, Asif Iqbal Daudzai, information minister for the NWFP, told a press briefing Wednesday.

Local TV reports quoted Daudzai as saying that the relief operations were underway in most quake-stricken territories. He said participation of the elected representatives and local officials in the relief effort could ensure provision of relief to the needy people.

The provincial minister said that hospitals had provided medical aid to 24,865 people injured in the quake. Altogether 17 tent villages were set up in Garhi Habibullah, Jabori, Bagggram, Balakot, Nawazabad and other areas, he added.

"Most of the human loss occurred in Mansehra, where Balakot and other towns were totally destroyed," Daudzai said. Some 32,600 people died in Mansehra alone. Daudzai claimed that the figure is likely to rise as heavy machinery is brought in to open blocked roads.

Source: Xinhua