Sunday, October 23 2005 08:52 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Islamabad: The toll in the October 8 killer earthquake in Pakistan has crossed 53,000 while the number of injured has risen above 75,000, Government said yesterday (Oct 22, 2005).

"The casualty figures are now 53,182 dead and 75,146 injured," Pakistan's disaster relief chief Major General Farooq Ahmed told reporters in Islamabad.

The toll Friday (Oct 21, 2005) crossed 51,000 with Pakistan-occupied Kashmir alone accounting for 32,703 fatalities.

Meanwhile, UN Secretary General Kofi Annan warned that the approaching winter may lead to more deaths in quake-hit areas.

He also appealed for an 'immediate and exceptional escalation' in aid for survivors following the world body's failure to raise the needed funds.