They also said security had been impossible to maintain. One man said the corpses had been looted because there had been no one to watch over them. He mimed the twisting off of a ring from a finger. Help is now coming to Bhuj. International rescue teams have arrived and are starting to search for signs of life in the collapsed buildings.
Officials say supplies of blankets, tents and food are arriving by air.
One senior police official assured us there was not a scarcity of food and blankets - the only problem he said was that local people tended to hoard these things at a time of crisis and that created an artificial shortages. Artificially created or not, it does seem as if basic foods supplies and shelter have been wiped out. Bhuj is now getting international attention - even if it has come a little late. The next priority is likely to be getting to the more remote villages beyond Bhuj which have also seen tragedy but which are yet to see aid. Bush selects new ambassador to Pakistan China anger over US visits Links to more South Asia stories are at the foot of the page.