Death toll climbs to over 1,400 after Afghanistan earthquake, official says
An earthquake in eastern Afghanistan has resulted in a devastating loss of life, with the death toll rising to at least 1,411 people, according to government officials. The 6.0 magnitude quake struck just before midnight on Sunday, leaving another 3,124 individuals injured.
Rescue operations are currently underway in the affected areas, with commandos working tirelessly to airlift the injured from inaccessible locations. The situation took a turn for the worse when a second 5.2 magnitude earthquake struck the region on Tuesday, compounding the challenges faced by emergency responders.
Shah Mahmood, a Taliban official, reported that around 8,000 houses were destroyed by the initial earthquake, with fears that more casualties may be found as responders reach remote villages. The epicenter of the quake was located about 17 miles east of Jalalabad, causing significant damage in Kunar Province, where the majority of the fatalities occurred.
This is not the first time Afghanistan has been hit by deadly earthquakes, with recent events in June 2022 and October 2023 claiming over 1,000 lives each. The country sits on a seismic hotspot, where the India plate and the Eurasia plate intersect beneath the Hindu Kush mountains, making it susceptible to frequent tremors.
The World Health Organization estimates that around 12,000 individuals have been directly impacted by the recent earthquake, with the hardest-hit areas being Chawkay, Nurgal, Chapa Dara, Dara-e-Pech, and Watapur in Kunar Province. Relief efforts are ongoing, with international agencies providing support to those affected.
As the region grapples with the aftermath of the disaster, the U.N. special rapporteur for Afghanistan, Richard Bennett, expressed his condolences to the victims and their families. The road to recovery will be long and arduous, but with concerted efforts and international assistance, the affected communities can begin to rebuild and heal from this tragedy.
