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More than 500 people were killed and over 1000 people injured after an earthquake of magnitude 6.0 struck eastern Afghanistan in the early hours of Monday.
Khaama Press, citing Taliban-run authorities, reported that the districts of Nur Gul, Soki, Watpur, Manogi, and Chapa Dara of Kunar province were the worst hit areas. In Nangarhar province, at least nine people were killed and several others were injured.
Entire villages made of fragile mud-and-stone collapsed, while landslides cut off vital routes and communication breakdowns further hampered rescue and relief efforts.
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Officials confirmed the scale of casualties and called for urgent international aid. Rescue workers and helicopters were sent in, but operations have been slowed by rough terrain and widespread infrastructure damage, Khaama Press reported.
Following the 6.0 magnitude tremors, a 4.7 magnitude earthquake occurred at a depth of around 140 km, not far from the epicentre of the initial tremor.
This was followed by a 4.3 magnitude and a 5.0 magnitude tremor at 140 km and 40 km depth, respectively.
The disaster underscores Afghanistan's persistent vulnerability to earthquakes, particularly in mountainous and remote areas. It comes less than two years after another deadly quake, highlighting the recurring threat.
Tremors were felt across several parts of Pakistan after the strong earthquake of magnitude 6.0 struck Afghanistan.
According to Dawn, the tremors were felt across several districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Pakistan's Punjab in the early hours of Monday. Citing authorities, it mentioned that no casualties or damage were reported so far.
Afghanistan has a history of powerful earthquakes, and the Hindu Kush Mountain range is a geologically active area where quakes occur every year, according to the Red Cross.
Afghanistan sits on numerous fault lines between the Indian and the Eurasian tectonic plates, with a fault line also running directly through Herat.
EAM S Jaishankar expresses deep concern over Afghanistan earthquake, offers assistance
External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar on Monday expressed deep concern over the devastating earthquake in Afghanistan's Kunar Province, which has claimed more than 600 lives so far.
Taking to social media platform X, S. Jaishankar said, "The devastating earthquake in Kunar Province of Afghanistan is a matter of deep concern. Express our support and solidarity to the Afghan
people as they respond to it."
"India will extend assistance in this hour of need. Our condolences to the families of the victims. And our prayers for early recovery of the injured," he added.
Meanwhile, the death toll from the earthquake in eastern Afghanistan has risen to 622, with more than 1,000 others injured, reported the state-run Radio and Television of Afghanistan (RTA) on Monday.
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