Greater than 800 individuals have been killed and not less than 2,800 others injured after an earthquake hit jap Afghanistan, based on Taliban state officers.
The quake hit the nation’s rugged northeastern province of Kunar, close to the Pakistan border, at roughly midnight on Sunday, destroying a number of villages, officers stated.
Rescuers are persevering with to work in a number of districts of the mountainous province the place the quake hit, whereas officers within the capital metropolis of Kabul have warned the variety of casualties might rise.
Afghan catastrophe newest updates
This is what we all know to date.
What occurred?
A 6.0 quake hit Kunar at round 11.47pm native time (8.17pm UK time) on Sunday.
The quake’s epicentre was close to Jalalabad, Nangarhar province, at a depth of 8.7 miles (14km). Jalalabad is located about 74 miles (119km) from Kabul. It’s thought of a distant and mountainous space.
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The massive pink circle reveals the earthquake close to Kabul. Pic: German Analysis Centre for Geosciences
A second earthquake struck in the identical province about 20 minutes later, with a magnitude of 4.5 and a depth of 6.2 miles (10km). This was later adopted by a 5.2 earthquake on the similar depth.
Properties of mud and stone have been levelled by the quake, with deaths and accidents reported within the districts of Nur Gul, Soki, Watpur, Manogi and Chapadare, based on the Kunar Catastrophe Administration Authority.
The primary quake hit 17 miles east-northeast of the town of Jalalabad in Nangarhar province, the US Geological Survey stated. Jalalabad is a bustling commerce metropolis resulting from its proximity to a key border crossing between Afghanistan and Pakistan.
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Afghanistan earthquake map
It has a inhabitants of round 300,000 individuals, based on the municipality, however its metropolitan space is believed to be a lot bigger.
Most of its buildings are low-rise constructions predominantly produced from concrete and brick, although its outer areas embrace properties constructed of mud bricks and wooden.
What have officers stated to date?
Sharafat Zaman, a spokesman for Afghanistan’s ministry of public well being, stated: “Rescue operations are still underway there, and several villages have been completely destroyed.
“The figures for martyrs and injured are altering.
“Medical teams from Kunar, Nangarhar and the capital Kabul have arrived in the area.”
He stated many areas haven’t been capable of report casualty figures and that “numbers were expected to change” as deaths and accidents are reported.
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Extra particulars on the aftermath in Afghanistan
Zabihullah Mujahid, a spokesman for the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, stated: “Sadly, tonight’s earthquake has caused loss of life and property damage in some of our eastern provinces.
“Native officers and residents are presently engaged in rescue efforts for the affected individuals. Assist groups from the centre and close by provinces are additionally on their approach.”
According to earlier reports, 30 people were killed in a single village, the health ministry said.
“The variety of casualties and accidents is excessive, however for the reason that space is troublesome to entry, our groups are nonetheless on website,” said health ministry spokesperson Sharafat Zaman.
The Afghan Red Crescent said its officials and medical teams “rushed to the affected areas and are presently offering emergency help to impacted households”.
Quake measures barely decrease than the nation’s deadliest catastrophe
Afghanistan is vulnerable to earthquakes, notably within the Hindu Kush mountain vary, the place the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates meet.
The nation can also be one of many world’s poorest, having suffered many years of battle, with poor infrastructure leaving it notably susceptible to pure disasters.
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Robust earthquake in jap Afghanistan close to Pakistan border kills a whole lot. Pic: AP
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Folks carry an earthquake sufferer on a stretcher to an ambulance at an airport in Jalalabad. Pic: Reuters
A magnitude 6.3 earthquake and powerful aftershocks struck Afghanistan on 7 October 2023.
The nation’s Taliban authorities stated not less than 4,000 individuals had been killed, however the United Nations stated the loss of life toll was round 1,500.
The 2023 earthquake is taken into account the deadliest pure catastrophe to hit Afghanistan in current reminiscence.
A collection of different earthquakes within the nation’s west killed greater than 1,000 individuals final yr.
Catastrophe provides to ‘multiplicity of crises’ for Afghanistan
Filippo Grandi stated the scenario within the nation was “very tragic” and added: “We have very little information as of yet, but already, reports of hundreds of people killed and many more made homeless.”
“That’s a country that is already suffering from a multiplicity of crises.”
He stated Afghanistan is affected by a “big drought”, whereas Iran has “sent back almost 2 million people” and Pakistan “threatens to do the same”.
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Ambulances put together to obtain victims of an earthquake. Pic: Nangarhar Media Centre/AP
“It’s extremely difficult to mobilise resources because of the Taliban. So it’s a perfect storm,” he added.
“And this earthquake, likely to have been quite devastating, is going to just add to the misery.”
He appealed to “all those who can help to please do that”.
A international workplace spokesperson for the Afghanistan authorities stated no international governments have reached out to offer assist for rescue or aid work to date.
