Quake tragedy hitting home

Silent prayers: Hamid Abbasi, of Auckland, lost an uncle in the earthquake that rocked the Pakistan region. Picture / Kenny Rodger

The scale of the earthquake in Kashmir was brought home to South Auckland's Hamid Abbasi when his mother in Pakistan rang on Sunday night to tell him the news.

His 52-year-old uncle had died in the quake, one victim among tens of thousands in Kashmir province.

The family had moved away to Islamabad 30 years ago, and Mr Abbasi said his uncle had only gone to the family's Balakot home to prepare it for the coming winter.

"He arrived just a couple of days before the earthquake happened."

While the rest of the family is fine, question marks loom over some family friends.

They went to Balakot just for the school holidays, and her husband who works in Islamabad doesn't even know where his family is."

His mother is in Kashmir helping with relief efforts.

"I can't contact her, and the last time I spoke to her was on Sunday. I just don't know what's happening."

Mr Abbasi, who runs a finance company, has been heavily involved in the local Pakistani community's efforts to collect aid, and get news to those still waiting for word from family and friends.

Naveed Hamid, president of the Pakistan Association of New Zealand, said some had already left for Pakistan while others were standing by the phone.

Communications to the Kashmir province - epicentre of the 7.6 magnitude earthquake - remained sketchy at best. Mr Hamid said the Auckland father who had reportedly lost four children under the rubble of their family home later discovered two of his children were safe, but found the quake had killed his parents.

The man left for Pakistan last night to rejoin his two children, and Mr Hamid said he was grief-stricken.

"He doesn't want to talk. I have a hard time getting the correct information from him."

Mr Hamid said the association had been inundated with pledges of support. He estimated $10,000 had already been given by the wider community, while the Pakistani business community had also pledged aid.

The association planned to mobilise more volunteers and distribute collection boxes to shopping centres, mosques and dairies. It was also collecting blankets and food to be shipped to the area.

Volunteers will also visit seven Auckland mosques and Islamic centres on Friday to gather donations.