- Massive 6.0-Magnitude Earthquake
- Aid Agencies Face Logistical Hurdles
- Over 5,400 Homes Destroyed in Catastrophic Quake
A powerful 6.0-magnitude earthquake has devastated eastern Afghanistan, with the death toll now soaring past 1,400 people.
Eko Hot Blog reports that the quake struck a remote mountainous area near the Pakistan border at a shallow depth of just five miles, which contributed to the widespread destruction.
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According to Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid, over 3,124 others sustained injuries, and more than 5,400 homes have been completely destroyed.
The Afghan Red Crescent Society reported that many people remain trapped under the rubble of destroyed homes, and rescue operations are ongoing. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs estimated that the quake had directly affected as many as 12,000 people. Officials have warned that the final death count is expected to rise as rescuers complete their search operations.
However, aid agencies face significant challenges reaching survivors in the rugged terrain. Landslides have blocked roads, forcing teams to travel on foot or use helicopters to airlift the injured.
The UN’s humanitarian coordinator, Indrika Ratwatte, stated that “the biggest challenge is to reach these remote areas with the road access extremely damaged.”
The Taliban has appealed for international aid, but this request is complicated because most countries do not recognize their rule. Despite this, some nations have offered help. The U.K. pledged nearly $1.3 million in assistance, while China also offered support.
In contrast, the U.S. has not announced any aid, despite supplying nearly half of all humanitarian aid to Afghanistan until last year.
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