Huge Loss of Lives in Afghanistan Earthquake of Magnitude 6.0

NURGAL: A Recent Earthquake in Afghanistan caused massive casualties in the country, leading to the fatalities of around 800. Rescue operation halts due to the landslides and rock slides after rain. The rescue team predicts more casualties.

Earthquake-affected areas and Death toll:

According to the Taliban authorities, people were sleeping in their homes when the earthquake happened in the mountainous regions. On Monday, a massive rescue operation was underway to protect the lives of the people and avoid further unrest.

Tremors of the earthquake in Afghanistan are felt in Pakistan as well. The US Geological Survey observed 5 aftershocks after the earthquake. The five provinces of Afghanistan were affected by this natural calamity.

Also Read: 6.0 Magnitude Earthquake Hit Afghanistan

Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said, around 800 people lost their lives near the epicenter in eastern Afghanistan, while 2800 were injured in Kunar.

In Nangarhar, almost 12 people lost their lives while 255 were injured. In Laghman, 58 people lost their lives. In Wadir, people are struggling alone to save the residents under the rubble of the damaged homes.

The majority of the Afghan residents are living in low-rise mud homes. According to the USGS, the shallow quakes can be more fatal and cause damage to the people living in low-rise, mud-brick homes.

The United Nations migration agency warned of the aftermath of the earthquake. It said that the Kunar was affected a lot after this incident. The agency also informed that most of the villages in Kunar may also be inaccessible due to road blockages.

The recent flooding in Pakistan also affected Nangarhar and Kunar in Afghanistan. Rescuers were trying to reach those remote spots that were badly hit by the quake, but they got disconnected from the mobile networks along the border.

An office at the UN Office for the Coordination of Human Affairs said, “The area of the earthquake was affected by heavy rain in the last 24-48 hours as well, so the risk of landslides and rock slides is also quite significant. That is why many of the roads are impassable.”

Rescue teams are now working to minimise the risk of contamination to water resources. One of the residents said, “There is a lot of fear and tension. Children and women were screaming. We had never experienced anything like this in our lives.” He said that the affected ones are the Afghan refugees who came from Pakistan and Iran after decades. He informed them that these people wanted to build their homes there.