Thinking Anglicans

Update on Peshawar casualties

Titus Presler has published this Peshawar All Saints’ update: bomb casualty toll; funds appeal; other bombings.

In a conversation from Peshawar today, Bishop Humphrey Sarfaraz Peters of the Diocese of Peshawar said that the confirmed death toll from the bombing at All Saints’ Church on Sept. 22 in the old section of the city stands at 127, with 170 injured.

“It has been just devastating,” he said. “Quite a few children are paralyzed, and others are orphaned. This is a terrible time for the Christian community.” Financial assistance is urgently needed to support the families of the dead and injured, he said.

Government officials, including the Governor of Khyber Pakhtunkwa, the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and federal ministers, have visited in order to express concern and condolence. The bishop has met with them either at All Saints’, where he has been based over the week, or at his home on the grounds of St. John’s Cathedral.

Yesterday’s car bomb in Qissa Khawani bazaar was detonated nearby while the All Saints’ congregation was again at worship on the first week’s anniversary of the Sept. 22 bomb. “People were in a panic, and there was such a rush,” Bp. Humphrey said, “but after about 25 minutes we were able to get them settled and resume the service.” The bomb killed 40 people and was reported to have exploded about 300 yards from All Saints’, near a mosque and a police station. On Friday, 19 people died when a bomb planted on a bus carrying government employees exploded in the outskirts of Peshawar.

Today’s confirmed count of 127 dead and 170 wounded from the Sept. 22 bomb is lower than the initial reports of 150 dead and 200 wounded, but it is considerably higher than the figure of 85 dead that is being circulated by global news media. Peshawar’s overall death toll from bomb blasts for the week is 176…

Subscribe
Notify of
guest

6 Comments
Oldest
Newest
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Rev'd Laurence Roberts
Rev'd Laurence Roberts
10 years ago

Awful Wish i could embrace them – or do something real that would help…

JCF
JCF
10 years ago

Lord have mercy.
Christ have mercy.
Allah have mercy.

Who is collecting funds to help them? [Who in the UK, who in the US, Canada, etc?]

Cynthia
Cynthia
10 years ago

I searched on Guidestar to learn about the charity on Simon’s link. It is the British Schools and Universities Foundation, here in the US. It looks like a fine organization, but it’s specialty is scholarships and gifts to schools. JCF, have you looked into ERD? Episcopal Relief & Development? They partnered with a charitable organization on the ground in Pakistan when they had the earthquake. The ERD website Press Release says that they are reaching out to see how to help, but so far, I see no follow up. They are an outstanding domestic and international charity. I would think… Read more »

Francis
Francis
10 years ago

Cynthia, I’ve been looking for a way of donating too, and it looks as if the BSUF, despite its general-sounding title, links directly for this purposes to Edwardes College, Peshawar (http://www.edwardes.edu.pk) which is certainly running a specific appeal.

Cynthia
Cynthia
10 years ago

I’m seeing how one can support Edwardes College. And I’m seeing that the community of Edwardes College were highly impacted by the bombing, losing students, faculty, alumni, and their family members. I’m not seeing the appeal that supports the victims and families of All Saints’, though I read an announcement of an appeal to help those victims in the Edwardes College community.

It looks like a fine cause. I’m looking for something broader, ideally through the Diocese. If anyone knows of such an appeal, please post it. Thank you in advance.

6
0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x