Donations have been pouring in to the Bermuda Red Cross to aid those affected by last week's devastating terrorist attacks in the United States.

However, yesterday Bermuda Red Cross director Ann Spencer-Arscott said the local chapter has not yet launched an official appeal.

The reason, she said, is that directive for appeals must come either from the affected country or from the Red Cross International Federation and at this stage the American group feels they have the situation under control.

Nevertheless, Mrs. Spencer-Arscott said the local chapter has collected $1,450 in donations to date and expects another $5,000 to come through shortly from weekend events.

Mrs. Spencer-Arscott said the Bermuda chapter will continue to accept donations intended for American victims.

"We're not ruling out the possibility an appeal will be launched," she said.

Those wishing to make a donation can send it to Bermuda Red Cross, P.O. Box HM 772, Hamilton, HM CX.

Alternatively, donations can be made to the American Red Cross directly on the Internet through a secure website (http://red.cross.org), Mrs. Spencer-Arscott said.

The Bermuda Red Cross would also like to advise the Bermuda public it will be closing its India Earthquake appeal on Sunday, September 30.

The appeal was started on January 29 of this year after a huge earthquake devastated remote and poor areas of western India and to date $124,919.54 has been forwarded to the Indian Red Cross through the generosity of the Bermuda public and Government.

The monies donated will be used to help repair and rebuild the lives of the victims of the catastrophe.

The Bermuda Red Cross hopes to forward the remaining fund to the Indian Red Cross by the end of October.

To achieve this, the Bank of Butterfield Indian Earthquake Appeal Account #006-060-401365-200 will be closed at the end of this month.