More than 800 people have been killed, and 2500 others injured, after a powerful earthquake struck eastern Afghanistan.
The magnitude 6.0 earthquake hit about 27.9 km away from the city of Jalalabad, about three hours east of the capital of Kabul, about midnight local time.
Taliban Chief spokesman Mawlawi Zabihullah Mujahid said the death toll is expected to rise.
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The US Geological Survey (USGS) said the quake occurred at a depth of 8km, with four powerful aftershocks were felt at the region close to the border with Pakistan.
The affected area is mountainous, with poor construction standards and limited communications, making rescue efforts difficult.
Many homes were reportedly destroyed in the Kunar region.
Relief teams have struggled to reach some of the more remote communities and their progress has been hampered by landslides and destroyed roads, reported the Taliban’s state-run Bakhtar News Agency (BNA).
Video from Reuters shows injured people rescued from the quake being pulled from a helicopter on stretchers at a military base in Jalalabad. Other images from the city show casualties lying on beds and being treated at hospital.
Nearly half a million people likely felt strong to very strong shaking, which can result in considerable damage to poorly built structures, according to the USGS.
“Sadly, tonight’s earthquake has caused loss of life and property damage in some of our eastern provinces,” Mujahid said on X.
“Local officials and residents are currently engaged in rescue efforts for the affected people.
“Support teams from the centre and nearby provinces are also on their way, and all available resources will be utilised to save lives.”
The earthquake was also felt in several cities in neighbouring Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab provinces, the Pakistan Meteorological Department said in a statement.
A magnitude 6.3 earthquake struck Afghanistan on October 7, 2023, followed by strong aftershocks. The Taliban government estimated that at least 4000 people died.
The UN gave a far lower death toll of about 1500. It was the deadliest natural disaster to strike Afghanistan in recent years.
- With AAP and CNN
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