Over 1400 Dead, Thousands Injured As Deadly 6.0 Earthquake Devastates Northern Afghanistan, Rescue Efforts Intensify

Afghanistan Earthquake: The earthquake that struck northern Afghanistan on Monday night devastated the entire valley. So far, at least 1,400 people have died and more than 3,000 have been injured in this earthquake. Relief and rescue operations are in full swing, while thousands of people are still feared to be trapped under the debris.

The Taliban government and humanitarian aid organizations are warning that the death toll may rise further in the coming days. According to the USGS, the earthquake had a magnitude of 6.0 and its epicenter was about 27 kilometers from Jalalabad.

Areas most affected by the earthquake

Kunar province was the worst affected, where people live in high hills and river valleys. Many villages in this area have been completely destroyed and many people are trapped in the rubble. Ehsanullah Ehsan, disaster management chief of Kunar province, said that rescue operations were carried out in four villages and now efforts are focused on reaching more remote mountainous areas.

Rescue and relief operations continue

Rescue operations began immediately after the earthquake. Local villagers are also working with their own hands to remove survivors from the rubble. Injured people are being transported to hospitals through helicopters. Due to difficult terrain and broken roads, teams of relief agencies have to make long journeys on foot. According to the Taliban government, so far more than 1,400 people have died and more than 3,000 have been injured. At the same time, according to the Afghan Red Crescent Society, the death toll is 1,124 and the injured are 3,251, while more than 8,000 houses have been completely destroyed.

Global Aid Rushed To Afghanistan

After this earthquake, the demand for aid for Afghanistan has gained momentum globally. The United Kingdom has announced emergency aid of 1 million pounds ($1.3 million), which will be given directly to humanitarian agencies. India also immediately sent relief materials. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said that India has sent 1,000 family tents to Kabul today and 15 tonnes of food items are being sent to Kunar. Other countries including China have also offered disaster relief assistance.

Landslides and broken roads in the earthquake affected areas have made rescue operations difficult. Relief workers and local villagers are making continuous efforts to reach the injured and trapped people.