A powerful Afghanistan earthquake of 6.3 magnitude hit eastern Afghanistan late at night on Sunday. According to the Taliban-led ministry, the quakes caused at least 622 deaths and over 1000 injuries in the country. Furthermore, the tremor caused extensive damage in Nangarhar and Kunar provinces. In addition, they were felt as far as Pakistan and northern India.
The US Geological Survey (USGS) reported that the epicenter was located near Jalalabad at a depth of 160 km. However, the quake affected around 11:47 pm local time. In addition, it was followed by many aftershocks, including magnitudes 4.7, 4.3, and 5.0. Therefore, these aftershocks further accelerated the overall damage.
Villages Razed, Rescue Efforts Hampered
Full villages in Kunar province were flattened due to mud and stone houses collapsing under the force of the tremors. So, the provincial officials confirmed that at least 30 lives were lost in a single village. However, Health Ministry spokesperson Sharafat Zaman warned that the toll could increase further because rescue teams are continuing to search the debris in the remote areas.
Helicopters have been deployed to airlift the injured. Similarly, local hospitals are struggling with a sudden influx of casualties. An official said that at least 400 people were admitted to nearby clinics. However, many individuals are still waiting for their treatments.
Afghanistan Earthquake: Deadliest Quake Since 2023
This tragedy is the deadliest earthquake in Afghanistan since 2023, when a series of 6.3 magnitude tremors took thousands of lives. It is important to note that the country is highly prone to dangerous earthquakes because it lies on the Hindu Kush seismic fault line, where the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates meet.
The fragile infrastructure of the country has worsened the impact. Most houses in the rural areas are made with mud and stones, which makes them vulnerable. According to the officials, three villages have been completely razed.
Lack of International Support
According to the Afghanistan officials, no foreign governments have offered aid as of Monday morning. Thus, the lack of external assistance has raised concerns over how effectively Afghanistan can manage relief operations alone.
In addition, authorities feared the final death toll could surpass the early estimates because casualties numbers are still increasing. As of now, the rescue team and local communities are working tirelessly to search for survivors and offer urgent medical care to them.
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