A powerful earthquake has killed more than 800 people and injured almost 3,000 in eastern Afghanistan, the United Nations said. The 6.0 magnitude quake struck just before midnight on Sunday. Most of the deaths were reported in Kunar province, where whole villages have been destroyed. Officials fear the number of deaths will rise.
The earthquake’s center was in a remote mountain area, which makes rescue work very hard. Roads are blocked by floods and landslides, and many houses made of mud and stone collapsed. Helicopters have flown into the area, but reaching the deep mountains is still difficult.
A Taliban official said, “Entire villages are flattened. Now the priority is helping the injured.” Many people are still trapped under rubble, and some have died while waiting for rescue.
Local people described the terrifying night. Faridullah Fazli, from Asadabad, said he woke up to strong shaking and scary noises. He helped take the dead and injured to a nearby clinic. Another resident said 95% of his village was destroyed, with injuries in nearly every home.
This disaster comes at a very hard time for Afghanistan. The country is already suffering from drought, floods, and a food crisis. Aid has also been cut, making it harder to respond to the tragedy.
Rescue teams continue to search for survivors, but with so many villages destroyed, officials say the true scale of the disaster is still unknown.
-Peace News Desk