UP to 30,000 people have died in the powerful earthquake that rocked Pakistan, India and Afghanistan at the weekend.

The quake on Saturday wiped out entire villages, severed transportation links and cut power and water supplies.

Many of the dead in the 7.6 magnitude quake were in the Pakistan-administered Kashmir area.

The scale of the disaster has prompted a huge relief operation, with specialists from all over the world flown in to help.

Britain has sent teams of aid and emergency workers, some of whom have been deployed at a collapsed tower block in Islamabad, while others are travelling to Kashmir.

Among the rescue workers flown out are Sheena McCabe and Julie Ryan, from North Yorkshire, members of the International Rescue Corps who will use thermal imaging cameras and listening devices to find people trapped in rubble.

Pakistan's president, General Pervez Musharraf, described the earthquake as the worst disaster in Pakistan's history.

He appealed to the international community for help, and issued an appeal to Pakistanis living in the UK and elsewhere to come forward and help their countrymen.

He said: "We do seek international assistance. We have enough manpower, but we need financial support."

Among those waiting for news of loved ones is a North-East restaurant worker whose family live in the Islamabad area.

Adil Shahid, who works in the Massala Indian restaurant on Borough Road, Middlesbrough, said: "We haven't heard anything from my parents' brothers and sisters and have cried all night long with worry.

"We have tried everything to get in touch, but it is the not knowing that is the most upsetting."

Mr Shahid's parents, Shahid and Mahooda Perviz, spent all Saturday night vainly trying to make contact with relatives.

The 23-year-old said: "We don't know what our relatives are going through and it is heartbreaking waiting for news.

"The telephone networks are either down or just extremely busy, and there is no way of getting through on the Internet."

The restaurant's owner, Middlesbrough councillor Shamal Biswas, said: "It will be quite a traumatic time for many people in the North-East. There are a lot of Middlesbrough residents from the worst affected areas around Islamabad and the Kashmir region.

"My condolences go out to the people affected by the terrible earthquake. I just hope that the government out there will act quickly and get aid to the people who need it the most.

"I will be going to meetings at mosques in the town to see what local Muslims want to do to help, and I am sure the whole community will rally round."

Appeals to fund the rescue efforts have already been launched by the British Red Cross, Oxfam, Unicef and Muslim Aid.

The British Government has contributed more than £500,000, the Irish government has pledged a million euros (£615,000), and the EU £2.5m.

In a message to General Musharraf, the Queen said: "I send my heartfelt sympathy to you and the people of Pakistan, especially to the bereaved and injured and all who have been affected by this terrible disaster."

Prime Minister Tony Blair said: "We are immensely proud of our close ties to Pakistan, made even closer by the large population of British citizens who trace their origins to the Kashmir region.

"Such ties make the growing number of casualties even harder to bear. Our thoughts go out to all Pakistanis."

* People worried about relatives can call the Foreign Office information line on 020 7008 1500.