Indian quake death toll could 'skyrocket'
The death toll from the Indian earthquake is now said to be approaching 30,000 - and the final total could be much higher.
Indian newspapers said the figure seemed likely to skyrocket with survival chances appearing slim for nearly 100,000 people.
Authorities in Bhuj said the toll there alone could be nearly 30,000. In other badly-hit areas, the removal of bodies was yet to begin in earnest.
More than three days after the earthquake hit Gujarat, it now seems that the chances of finding any more survivors are bleak.
Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee has surveyed the quake-hit areas of Anjar, Bhuj and Bachao and expressed grave concern over mounting casualties.
The Prime Minister said: "I am here to express my solidarity with the Indian people. They are not alone in this. There are plans being drafted for rehabilitation and reconstruction of this area."
Parts of the Kutch district in western Gujarat, worst hit by the quake, has been shaken by another series of tremors measuring between 3.5 and 4.6 on the Richter scale.
