Earthquake Devastates Eastern Afghanistan, Death Toll Rising
A catastrophic earthquake registering a magnitude of 6.0 has struck eastern Afghanistan, causing widespread devastation and claiming the lives of at least 1400 people, according to Al Jazeera English and the Japan Times. The earthquake, centered near the eastern border with Pakistan, hit the provinces of Kunar and Nangarhar late Sunday night, impacting some of the most remote and impoverished regions of the country.
Background and Context
The earthquake occurred in an area particularly vulnerable to seismic activity due to the convergence of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates in the Hindu Kush Mountain range. The quake was reported to be just 5 miles deep, and as per Fox News and The Guardian, shallower quakes tend to cause more damage. An aftershock of 4.5 magnitude occurred just after midnight, adding to the devastation.
Scale of Devastation and Rescue Efforts
The earthquake's epicenter was in the conservative province of Kunar, which has been severely devastated. The impact of the quake was also felt strongly in Nangarhar province. The exact extent of the damage is difficult to assess due to the remote location and limited access to these areas. The BBC reports that families are searching for loved ones buried under the rubble, while the South China Morning Post states that Afghanistan has resorted to airdropping commandos into areas that helicopters cannot reach.
Ehsanullah Ehsan, the provincial head of disaster management, has stated that the number of bodies trapped under the rubble is unpredictable, as reported by Al Jazeera English. The Corriere della Sera adds that women in the disaster-struck areas are unable to leave their homes and receive help unless accompanied by a man, further complicating rescue efforts.
International Response and Aid
In the wake of this disaster, several nations have offered assistance. Iran, as reported by IRNA English and the Tehran Times, is prepared to provide any form of support to the Afghan government in rescue and recovery operations, including sending relief supplies and rescue forces. Russia is also considering sending aid, according to TASS. The New York Times states that emergency aid has started trickling in, although many villages in the hard-hit mountainous areas remain cut off.
Conclusion
With over 1400 lives lost and more than 3300 injured, as reported by the Japan Times, the quake is one of the deadliest in decades to hit Afghanistan. The ongoing search and rescue operations continue to face challenges due to the remote location and conservative customs. As the international community begins to respond to this crisis, the toll of the disaster continues to rise, and hope dwindles for finding survivors trapped under the rubble.