Earthquake destroys villages in Afghanistan and kills at least 250 people
Kabul, Afghanistan – A strong earthquake in eastern Afghanistan near the Pakistani border has destroyed many villages and caused many damage, killing at least 250 people and injuring at least 500 others, officials said. Deaths and injuries should increase as the research and rescue teams have reached the area.
The earthquake Sunday evening struck a series of cities in the province of Kunar, near the city of Jalalabad in the neighboring province of Nangahar. The scale of 6.0 to 11:47 p.m. was centered over 27 kilometers (17 miles) in the east-north-east of the city of Jalalabad in the province of Nangarhar, said US Geological Survey. It was only 8 kilometers (5 miles) deep. Less deep earthquakes tend to cause more damage.
The Kunar Disaster Management Authority said in a statement that at least 250 people had been killed and 500 others injured in the districts of Nur Gul, Soki, Watpur, Manogi and Chapadare.
“Rescue operations are still underway, and several villages have been completely destroyed. The figures for martyrs and injured change. Kunar medical teams, Nangarhar and the Kabul capital arrived in the region, “said Sharafat Zaman, spokesperson for the Ministry of Public Health.
He said many areas had not been able to report victim figures and that “the figures had to change” as death and injuries are reported.
Nearby, Jalalabad is a lively commercial city because of its proximity to neighboring Pakistan and a key border crossing between countries. Although it has a population of around 300,000 inhabitants according to the municipality, it is considered a much larger metropolitan region. Most of its buildings are constructions of low height, mainly concrete and brick, and its peripheral areas include houses built in mud bricks and wood. Many are of poor construction.
Jalalabad also has considerable agriculture and agriculture, including citrus fruits and rice, with the Kabul river flowing through the city.
An earthquake of magnitude 6.3 hit Afghanistan on October 7, 2023, followed by high aftershocks. The Taliban government estimated at least 4,000 people have perished.
The UN gave a much lower assessment of about 1,500. It was the deadliest natural disaster of hitting Afghanistan in recent memory.
