A powerful earthquake that struck eastern Afghanistan at night plunged the entire country into mourning. According to official data, at least 622 people were killed and more than 1,500 others sustained various injuries and were taken to hospitals.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs stated that the death toll may continue to rise. The epicenter was recorded in Kunar Province, where the greatest destruction occurred. Access to some remote villages has been blocked due to damage, and mobile communication has been partially disrupted in many areas.
According to the US Geological Survey (USGS), the earthquake’s epicenter was located near the city of Jalalabad, at a depth of 8 kilometers. The powerful 6-magnitude tremors were felt not only in Nangarhar and Laghman provinces but also in the capital, Kabul. The shaking was also recorded in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa region.
Representatives of the Taliban movement called on rescue services to act quickly. However, rescuers are facing serious difficulties reaching remote areas due to rough terrain and poorly developed infrastructure.
The fact that the earthquake struck at night made the situation even worse. Many residents were asleep and did not feel the tremors in time, leaving them trapped under collapsed houses. Clay and stone houses, which crumbled completely, exacerbated the scale of destruction.
Experts describe this earthquake as one of the strongest recorded in Afghanistan over the past two years. The international community is now discussing providing assistance to the victims of the disaster.
Thus, yesterday’s devastating earthquake in Afghanistan claimed the lives of hundreds of people and left thousands facing severe hardship. This tragedy clearly demonstrated the urgent need to strengthen disaster preparedness and humanitarian support systems in the country.
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