Hundreds killed as 6.0 magnitude earthquake strikes Afghanistan, destroying villages, officials say

A devastating earthquake with a magnitude of 6.0 hit eastern Afghanistan, causing widespread destruction and claiming the lives of hundreds of people. According to Mufti Abdul Matin Qani, spokesperson for the Ministry of Interior, more than 600 individuals lost their lives, and over 1,300 others were injured in the Kunar province. Additionally, a dozen people were reported dead in the Nangarhar province.

The United Nations mission in Afghanistan expressed deep sadness over the tragic event, acknowledging the loss of hundreds of lives and the injuries sustained by many more individuals. The powerful earthquake struck near the border with Pakistan, about 17 miles east of Jalalabad, just before midnight.

The Afghan health minister revealed that several villages in the Nurgal district of Kunar, such as Sholt, Arit, Mamagal, and Wadir, were almost completely destroyed, while others suffered significant damage. Rescue efforts were underway, with some of the injured being evacuated for medical treatment.

Zabihullah Mujahid, a government spokesperson, lamented the loss of life and property caused by the earthquake in the eastern provinces. Support teams from nearby regions were deployed to assist in the affected areas, with the Ministry of Defense conducting numerous flights to transport injured individuals to hospitals.

The National Disaster Management Authority dispatched response teams to Kunar, while international agencies coordinated relief efforts in collaboration with the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in Afghanistan. The U.N. Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, expressed solidarity with the Afghan people and pledged full assistance to those in need in the affected regions.

The heartbreaking earthquake has left a trail of devastation in its wake, prompting swift action and support from both local and international organizations. As the affected communities begin the process of recovery and rebuilding, the world stands united in offering condolences to the families of the victims and wishing a speedy recovery to the injured.