1277 The two Salesian communities and schools in Pakistan's earthquake zone have survived the quake
austraLasia #1277

The two Salesian communities and schools in Pakistan's earthquake zone have survived the quake

LAHORE: 8th October 2005 --  A quick response by Fr Miguel Angel to austraLasia's request for information on today's earthquake, assures us that the Salesians are unharmed, along with the boys they are looking after, and that in general the buildings are ok, no major damage at least on first inspection.  Some of the surrounding areas were less fortunate.  Perhaps we should let Fr. Miguel tell his own story:
    "It was around 9:00am and I was with one assistant in the office, trying to find a key in the box when I thought I was getting dizzy since everything around started moving. Since I had never experienced something like this I must have looked confused... then the assistant shouted "Father, Earthquake!". We run outside asking the boys to do the same. The tremor lasted well over 2 minutes and when we entered back in the building the tube lights were still moving. Thanks be to God our structure is strong enough and the house, including the new dormitories to be inaugurated in November, has suffered no damage at all. Another matter however is the wall around the School... We had to call the constructor and start rebuilding it just 2 hours after the event. Security is important in this country... Unfortunately not everybody has been so lucky: several buildings have fallen in the city and some houses in our Christian Colony have suffered a lot of damage as well. We are all still affected by the events but are very thankful for all the prayers of the confreres. I talked with Fr. Peter in Quetta one hour after the Quake hit us and he told me nothing had been felt there: Deo Gratias!. Don Bosco is safe! And on Monday we inaugurate the Computer Laboratory...".
    We will keep you informed if there is further information.  In the meantime we have no information from the North Western part of the New Delhi province where there are several communities, but will seek information as soon as possible.
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