KABUL, Afghanistan —
A strong earthquake has left a heavy toll in eastern Afghanistan, with nearly 800 fatalities and over 2,500 injuries reported by the Taliban government on Monday. The quake, measuring 6.0 in magnitude, struck late Sunday in Kunar province, close to Jalalabad in Nangarhar province, causing extensive destruction.
Casualties and Damage
In Nurgal district, one of the severely affected areas, a local resident described the scene as catastrophic, stating, “Children are under the rubble. The elderly are under the rubble. Young people are under the rubble.” He emphasized the urgent need for assistance, saying, “We need help here. We need people to come here and join us. Let us pull out the people who are buried. There is no one who can come and remove dead bodies from under the rubble.”
The quake’s epicenter was located approximately 17 miles east-northeast of Jalalabad at a depth of 5 miles, as reported by the U.S. Geological Survey. It was followed by several aftershocks, compounding the situation for search and rescue teams.
Rescue Efforts
Footage from the scene depicted rescuers transporting the injured on stretchers and local residents frantically using their hands to sift through debris in the hopes of finding survivors. Zabihullah Mujahid, the spokesperson for the Taliban government, confirmed that most casualties occurred in Kunar.
As rescue operations were launched, medical teams from Kunar, Nangarhar, and Kabul mobilized to aid survivors. Sharafat Zaman, a health ministry spokesman, indicated that many areas remained cut off, complicating recovery efforts.
Survivor Accounts
Among the survivors, Sadiqullah recounted his terrifying experience, describing how he was jolted awake by the deafening sound of the quake. He managed to save three of his children but was unable to rescue the others before debris trapped him. “I was half-buried and unable to get out,” he said from Nangarhar Hospital. “My wife and two sons are dead, and my father is injured and in hospital with me. We were trapped for three to four hours until people from other areas arrived and pulled me out.”
International Reactions
The earthquake’s impact was felt as far as Pakistan, where no casualties or damages have been reported. Humanitarian experts, including Filippo Grandi, the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees, urged for international support to address the urgent needs arising from this disaster. “This adds death and destruction to other challenges, including drought and the forced return of millions of Afghans from neighbouring countries,” Grandi noted.
In the immediate aftermath, Sherine Ibrahim, country director for an aid agency, expressed concern that the calamity could further strain Afghanistan’s already fragile humanitarian response, made worse by global funding cuts. she warned, “Although we have been able to act fast, we are profoundly fearful for the additional strain this will have on the overall humanitarian response in Afghanistan.”
Ongoing Needs
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies identified a range of critical needs, including search and rescue capabilities, emergency medical services, food, clean water, and restoring access to isolated communities. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed condolences, stating, “Our hearts go out to the victims and their families. We are ready to extend all possible support in this regard.”
This earthquake follows a previous disaster on Oct. 7, when a magnitude 6.3 quake struck Afghanistan, leading to a significant loss of life as estimated by the Taliban government at over 4,000, a figure the U.N. placed at around 1,500. The recent quakes are expected to amplify the humanitarian needs in the region, highlighting the ongoing challenges faced by the affected populations.
