China Red Cross Society donated 81 tons of relief materials to quake-hit Pakistan in Beijing Sunday, following an already delivered donation of US$100,000.

The relief materials, including tents, blankets, sleeping bags, and interphones, will be delivered on October 18 by a cargo-transport plane.

A strong earthquake, measuring 7.6 on the Richter scale, rocked Pakistan, India and Afghanistan last Saturday morning. According to latest reports, the death toll has risen to 25,000, and is likely to rise further.

After the disaster happened, Chinese leaders have sent messages of condolence to the leaders of Pakistan and India and immediately made a decision to offer US$6.2 million to Pakistan.

A 49-member rescue team from China arrived in Pakistan last Sunday and started work right away.

(Xinhua News Agency October 17, 2005)