A powerful earthquake measuring 6 on the Richter scale struck eastern Afghanistan from Sunday to Monday night, resulting in over 622 deaths and more than a thousand injuries, according to the Afghan Ministry of Interior.
The earthquake occurred in Nangarhar province at a depth of no more than eight kilometers, which amplified its devastating effects, as reported by the United States Geological Survey (USGS). It was followed by five aftershocks, the strongest of which reached 5.2 degrees.
The tremors completely destroyed several villages, particularly in the provinces of Kunar and Nangarhar near the Pakistani border, where rescue teams are still attempting to access the hard-to-reach affected areas, suggesting that the casualty count may rise in the coming hours.
Residents in the capital, Kabul, and even in the Pakistani capital, Islamabad, felt the tremors, causing panic among the citizens.
For its part, the United Nations mission in Afghanistan expressed its “deep sorrow over this devastating earthquake,” confirming that its teams are working on the ground to provide emergency humanitarian assistance. The Taliban authority has hastened to send rescue helicopters to the hardest-hit areas.
According to the latest toll provided by Kabul’s Interior Ministry spokesperson Abdul Mateen Qani, 610 fatalities and 1,300 injuries have been recorded in Kunar, in addition to 12 dead and 255 injured in Nangarhar, emphasizing that the toll is expected to increase.
It is worth noting that Nangarhar had only experienced flash floods a week prior, resulting in five deaths and significant material damage, further compounding the suffering of the residents in these areas.
