Devastating Earthquake Strikes Afghanistan, Leaving Over 200 Dead
KABUL — A powerful 6.0-magnitude earthquake rocked Afghanistan’s eastern region, claiming the lives of more than 200 people and leaving hundreds injured, as reported by state-run media.
Rescue efforts are underway in various districts of the mountainous area near the Pakistan border, but concerns loom over the possibility of the death toll climbing even higher.
Relief teams are facing challenges in reaching remote communities, with landslides obstructing their progress, as highlighted by the Taliban’s state-run Bakhtar News Agency (BNA).
The earthquake struck shortly before midnight, just 27 kilometers (16.77 miles) northeast of Jalalabad, a city of approximately 200,000 residents in Nangarhar Province. The temblor occurred at a relatively shallow depth of 8km (4.97 miles), according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS).
Reports on Monday indicated that at least 250 individuals had lost their lives and over 500 others sustained injuries in multiple districts of the mountainous northeastern Kunar province, as per BNA.
Health ministry spokesperson Sharafat Zaman stated, “The number of casualties and injuries is high, but since the area is difficult to access, our teams are still on site,” as reported by Reuters news agency.
Nearly half a million individuals experienced strong to very strong shaking, which can lead to significant damage to poorly constructed buildings, according to USGS.
A resident of Kabul, Ahmad Zameer, described the earthquake as intense, causing panic among residents even in his neighborhood over 100 miles away from the epicenter. People fled their apartment buildings, fearing being trapped inside.
“Unfortunately, tonight’s earthquake has resulted in human casualties and financial losses in some of our eastern provinces,” stated Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid.
“Local officials and residents are working tirelessly to rescue those affected. Support teams from the capital and nearby provinces are en route. Every available resource will be utilized for the rescue and relief efforts,” he added.
The earthquake also impacted several cities in neighboring Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab provinces, according to the Pakistan Meteorological Department.
The region experienced at least five aftershocks, with the most intense measuring 5.2-magnitude in the hours following the initial quake, as per USGS.
An orange alert was issued by the USGS PAGER system, predicting significant economic and human losses post-earthquake.
“Significant casualties are anticipated, and the disaster is potentially widespread. Previous events with this alert level have necessitated a regional or national response,” the alert stated.
Afghanistan has a history of seismic activity, particularly in the mountainous Hindu Kush region bordering Pakistan. In October 2023, a powerful 6.3 magnitude earthquake in western Afghanistan claimed over 2,000 lives, ranking among the deadliest quakes in recent Afghan history. – CNN
