DATE= 03/27/02

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

NUMBER=2-288027

TITLE=AFGHAN QUAKE (S)

BYLINE=GARY THOMAS

DATELINE=KABUL

CONTENT=

VOICE AT:

INTRO: Relief efforts have begun to try to help the victims of a devastating earthquake in northern Afghanistan. The death toll remains uncertain. V-O-A Correspondent Gary Thomas reports from Kabul.

TEXT: A team of soldiers from the Kabul-based peacekeeping force flew by helicopter into Baghlan Province, Tuesday night, to assess the extent of death and destruction wrought by Monday's earthquake.

Much of the town of Nihrin is reported to have been leveled by the earthquake. Estimates of the number of casualties vary wildly -- depending on the source issuing them -- ranging from several hundred people dead to several thousand.

Flight Lieutenant Tony Marshall -- a spokesman for the peacekeepers -- says it is impossible to know, for sure, how many people perished.

//MARSHALL ACTUALITY //

We're a little over 24 hours since the earthquake, and I'm sure accurate figures are still hard to come by. And, it will only be when the bodies have been removed from the rubble will we only know then how great this disaster has been.

// END ACTUALITY //

Meanwhile, relief efforts are being mobilized. Supplies will have to be flown to Mazar-i-Sharif, in the north, then trucked in, because the road from Kabul north to Baghlan is reported to be impassable. (signed)

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