A 6.0 magnitude earthquake struck eastern Afghanistan, near Jalalabad, resulting in significant casualties and extensive damage. The quake occurred at 23:47 local time on Sunday and was located approximately 27 kilometers from Jalalabad in Nangarhar province. It was shallow, at a depth of 8 kilometers, and was felt as far away as Kabul and parts of neighboring Pakistan. Initial reports indicate that hundreds of people may have died, and large aftershocks followed the main event, potentially exacerbating the situation.
Rescue and relief efforts are facing challenges due to the mountainous terrain, which complicates access to the affected areas. Preliminary data suggests that over 600 fatalities may have occurred, although the Taliban’s interior ministry has cautioned that no definitive death toll has been established. Road blockages caused by landslides are hindering response efforts, prompting the Taliban government to utilize helicopters for transportation.
In addition to the earthquake, affected regions recently experienced flash flooding that resulted in at least five deaths and caused land damage, complicating rescue operations. Access to many areas remains restricted, with reports indicating widespread destruction of homes.
The difficult nature of the terrain, combined with infrastructural damage, is slowing the flow of information regarding the disaster. The Taliban, in control of Afghanistan since August 2021, faces difficulties in providing adequate disaster response, as many international journalists and aid organizations have reduced or suspended their operations in the country.
Afghanistan is particularly vulnerable to earthquakes due to its location on tectonic fault lines. The country’s buildings are often constructed using materials lacking earthquake-resistance. Historical patterns indicate that major earthquakes in the region tend to result in steep increases in the death toll as rescue operations unfold.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cwye0lpj9z6o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss