Kunar, Afghanistan, Sept. 4 – The death toll from a magnitude 6.0 earthquake that struck eastern Afghanistan on Sunday night has risen to 1,469, with rescue and relief operations continuing into their third day on Wednesday, according to local media reports obtained by The Chenab Times. The disaster has left thousands homeless and entire villages in ruins, primarily in Kunar province.
Interim government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid reported that 1,457 deaths have been confirmed in Kunar, the hardest-hit region, with 3,994 people injured and 6,782 houses destroyed. At least 12 deaths were reported in neighboring Nangarhar province, with additional casualties expected as data from Nangarhar, Laghman, and Panjshir provinces is still being compiled. A Taliban official in Kunar noted that relief supplies only reached remote areas on Tuesday night, with many residents refusing to leave until they recover loved ones’ bodies from the rubble.
Despite challenging terrain and damaged roads, rescue teams have reached all affected areas, using helicopters where necessary. The quake, recorded by the US Geological Survey at 11:47 pm on Sunday, struck 27 kilometers east-northeast of Jalalabad at a shallow depth of 8 kilometers, exacerbating its destructive impact. Acting Foreign Minister Maulvi Amir Khan Muttaqi has directed Afghan diplomatic missions to mobilize international aid, while UN Humanitarian Coordinator Indrika Ratwatte warned that hundreds of thousands may be affected due to the region’s remoteness.
Several countries, including Pakistan, Iran, China, India, and Western nations, have pledged support. Afghanistan Cricket Board Chairman Mirwais Ashraf urged swift action from international aid organizations, highlighting complications from banking restrictions. This marks the third major earthquake in Afghanistan since the Taliban’s return to power in 2021.
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The Chenab Times News Desk
