In brief
A strong earthquake in eastern Afghanistan has resulted in at least 800 fatalities and over 2,500 injuries, according to reports from the Taliban government. Rescuers are working tirelessly in the affected areas as many families search for missing loved ones. The quake has exacerbated the humanitarian crisis in a country already dealing with severe challenges, including drought and displacement.
KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — Desperate Afghans clawed through rubble in the dead of the night in search of missing loved ones after a strong earthquake killed some 800 people and injured more than 2,500 in eastern Afghanistan, according to figures provided Monday by the Taliban government.
The 6.0 magnitude quake struck late Sunday, hitting towns in Kunar province, near Jalalabad, causing extensive damage. Reports indicated the earthquake occurred at night, when many residents were asleep. Videos showed rescuers evacuating injured individuals on stretchers from the wreckage of collapsed buildings as frantic people dug through the debris.
The Taliban government’s spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, confirmed a death toll of at least 800 and called for urgent domestic and international aid for the stricken areas, where rescue efforts are hampered by poor infrastructure.
Survivors described scenes of utter chaos, with homes collapsing and people screaming for help. The tremors were felt across the border in parts of Pakistan, yet no significant damage was reported there.
Filippo Grandi, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, noted that this natural disaster adds to the ongoing humanitarian struggles in Afghanistan, including ongoing food shortages and economic collapse. Aid organizations are mobilizing to provide immediate relief to the affected populations.
This earthquake follows a previous one in October 2023 that killed thousands in Afghanistan. As rescue operations continue, hopes grow that the international community will step up efforts to aid the victims in their most challenging hour.
