A powerful earthquake shook eastern Afghanistan late Monday night, killing at least 800 people and injuring more than a thousand. The incident happened when most people were asleep, causing massive damage and fear in the region.
According to the US Geological Survey, the quake struck at 11:47 pm local time (1917 GMT), with its epicenter about 27 kilometers northeast of Jalalabad. Jalalabad is a city with a population of about two lakhs. At least three more tremors were felt after this earthquake.
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Many houses made of mud and stone collapsed in Kunar and Nangarhar provinces. Especially remote villages witnessed more devastation. Most of the dead are from Kunar province.
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Times of India quoted, Health Minister Sharafat Zaman saying, "The number of casualties and injuries is high, but since the area is difficult to access, our teams are still on site," he said, adding that relief workers are facing difficulties in reaching remote and inaccessible areas.
Nangarhar Communication Officer Sediqullah Qureshi Badloon informed that 9 people have died in Nangarhar, while 10 people have died in Nangarhar. Most of the deaths were reported in Kunar. Kunar's information chief Najibullah Hanif said a large number of injured people were rushed to hospital and the death toll could rise as reports came in from different areas.
The tremors were felt in several districts, including Noor Gul, Soki, Watpur, Manogi and Chapdare, causing buildings to shake and people to rush out of their homes in panic. The tremors were felt as far as Islamabad in Pakistan, which is about 370 km away.
The depth of the earthquake is reported to be only 8 to 10 km, making it more devastating. The area is already known for weak construction and poor infrastructure. Rescue teams are constantly trying to find people trapped in the rubble.
The eastern part of Afghanistan has often been affected by earthquakes. The area is located at the junction of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates, especially in the Hindu Kush mountain region, which is considered extremely vulnerable from a seismic point of view. A large population here lives in weak houses and emergency assistance is difficult. There is a huge shortage of water, making every earthquake a new disaster for the country – already struggling with a long-standing conflict and economic crisis.
Relief efforts are still underway, but officials say it will take some time to understand the full extent of the tragedy.
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