This compares with the reported delay of 3 to 4 minutes between the earthquake and the destruction of Khit, which suggests an overall velocity of 26 m/s. Casualties Published estimates for the death toll from the earthquake vary greatly between 5,000 and more than 29,000. There are no official contemporary records as information about major disasters was suppressed during Stalin's leadership. It is also unclear whether these figures refer to all those killed as a result of the earthquake, or only those caused by the Khait landslide. Estimates based on likely population densities in the two settlements that suffered the most damage, Khait and Khisorak, suggest that only about 800 people are likely to have died directly as a result of the landslide. References 1949 earthquakes 1949 in the Soviet Union Landslides in the Soviet Union Landslides in Tajikistan Landslides in 1949 July 1949 events in Asia