Earthquake in Afghanistan kills not less than 250, injures a whole lot extra and destroys villages, officers say

Kabul, Afghanistan — A powerful earthquake in far japanese Afghanistan close to the Pakistan border late Sunday destroyed quite a few villages and brought on intensive injury, killing not less than 250 folks and injuring not less than 500 others, officers stated.

The deaths and accidents have been anticipated to extend as search and rescue groups reached the distant space the place the temblor hit. The Reuters information service put the loss of life toll at about 500 and accidents at round 1,000, citing the nation’s state-run broadcaster Radio Tv Afghanistan (RTA), including that Taliban-led well being authorities within the Afghan capital of Kabul stated they have been nonetheless confirming figures as rescuers tried to get to the neighborhood.

The quake late Sunday a number of cities in Kunar province, close to the town of Jalalabad in neighboring Nangahar province. The 6.0 magnitude shaker hit at 11:47 p.m. and was centered 17 miles east-northeast of Jalalabad, the U.S. Geological Survey stated. It was simply 5 miles deep. Shallower quakes are inclined to trigger extra injury.

The Kunar Catastrophe Administration Authority stated in an announcement that not less than 250 folks have been killed and 500 others injured within the districts of Nur Gul, Soki, Watpur, Manogi and Chapadare.

“Rescue operations are nonetheless underway there, and several other villages have been fully destroyed. The figures for martyrs and injured are altering. Medical groups from Kunar, Nangarhar and the capital Kabul have arrived within the space,” stated Sharafat Zaman, a spokesman for the ministry of public well being.

He stated many areas had not been capable of report casualties figures and that “the numbers have been anticipated to alter” as loss of life and accidents are reported.

Jalalabad is a bustling commerce metropolis because of its proximity with neighboring Pakistan and a key border crossing between the international locations. Though it has a inhabitants of about 300,000 in response to the municipality, it is metropolitan space is regarded as far bigger. Most of its buildings are low-rise constructions, largely of concrete and brick, and its outlying areas embrace houses constructed of mud bricks and wooden. Many are of poor development.

Jalalabad additionally has appreciable agriculture and farming, together with citrus fruit and rice, with the Kabul River flowing via the town.

Afghanistan is situated close to the junction of the Eurasian and Indian tectonic plates and it’s usually struck with earthquakes.

A magnitude 6.3 temblor rocked Afghanistan on Oct. 7, 2023, together with robust aftershocks. The Taliban authorities estimated that not less than 4,000 perished. The U.N. gave a far decrease determine of about 1,500. It was the deadliest pure catastrophe to strike Afghanistan in current reminiscence. Greater than 90% of these killed have been ladies and youngsters, UNICEF stated.

In June 2022, a 5.9 magnitude earthquake struck elements of japanese Afghanistan, killing greater than 1,000 folks and injuring greater than 1,500 others.