21 years on, quake victims still await promised homes

At 8.52am on October 8, 2005, a magnitude 7.6 earthquake struck the region, turning thriving valleys into scenes of devastation within minutes.More than 86,000 people were killed, while millions were displaced and thousands suffered permanent disabilities.

Balakot, designated a red zone because of the scale of destruction, bore the brunt of the disaster.

Thousands of children were killed when school buildings collapsed, while hardly any family remained untouched by the tragedy.Twenty-one years later, the memories remain vivid for survivors who continue to mourn their loved ones.

Every October 8 brings back memories of children, parents and siblings who were buried under the rubble.Soon after the earthquake, the government announced the construction of the New Balakot City at Bakrial as an alternative settlement for residents of the devastated city.

21 years on, quake victims still await promised homes Zulfiqar Ali | Updated 8 minutes ago | .

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