A recent earthquake in eastern Afghanistan has resulted in over 800 fatalities and thousands of injuries, prompting ongoing rescue efforts. The quake, which registered a magnitude of 6.0, struck at 23:47 local time on Sunday, approximately 27 km east of Jalalabad, the country’s fifth-largest city, impacting Kunar province most severely.
Local authorities have reported that the death toll could rise as entire villages have been devastated. The mountainous terrain in Kunar, characterized by limited farmland and homes made from mud and clay, has posed challenges for rescue operations. Access to some villages has been hindered due to floods and landslides following the quake, necessitating air rescue operations.
Witness accounts describe significant destruction, with reports indicating that nearly all homes in some villages, such as Mazar Dara, were damaged. Injured individuals were transported to local clinics, where facilities have become overwhelmed. Hospitals in Jalalabad, already under strain due to large influxes of patients related to ongoing humanitarian issues, are struggling to manage the sudden surge in casualties.
In response to the disaster, countries including China, India, the UK, and Switzerland have pledged aid. The UK’s contribution aims to provide critical healthcare and supplies to affected regions. However, the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan remains precarious, further exacerbated by a severe drought and ongoing hunger crises attributed to recent aid cuts.
Since the Taliban regained control in August 2021, international sanctions and limited foreign aid have complicated relief efforts. Despite these challenges, several organizations are mobilizing to assist with rescue and recovery operations. The earthquake was particularly deadly due to its shallow depth of just 8 km, with tremors felt in Kabul and parts of neighboring Pakistan. Afghanistan is located on multiple fault lines, making it prone to such seismic events.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c3ezgy1zlvwo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss