The 6.1 magnitude earthquake that jolted parts of Afghanistan and Pakistan on early Wednesday has killed at least 1,000 in Afghanistan, while hundreds have been injured. Furthermore, the toll is expected to rise as rescue operation continue in the remote mountain villages.
has killed 1,000 people in Afghanistan on early Wednesday, while hundreds have been injured and the toll is likely to rise as rescue operations continue in the remote mountain villages. Meanwhile, the earthquake has also killed one person in Pakistan.
The earthquake struck about 44 km (27 miles) from the city of Khost, near the Pakistani border, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGC) said. Furthermore, the reports state that shaking was felt by about 119 million people in Pakistan, Afghanistan, and India, but there was no immediate reports of damage or causalities in Pakistan.
The European Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC) reported the earthquake’s magnitude at 6.1, while the USGC said it was 5.9. The disaster comes as Afghanistan grapples with severe economic crisis since the Taliban took over following withdrawal of the US forces after two decades.
The rescue operations will be a major test for the Taliban as the country has been cut off from much international assistance due to sanctions. Humanitarian aid has continued, however, with international agencies, such as the United Nations, still operating.
A spokesperson of the Afghanistan Foreign Ministry said that foreign aid is welcomed and the UN’s office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) has also asked humanitarian agencies to extend help with rescue operations, and teams are being dispatched to the earthquake-hit area.
Earthquake Kills 1 in Pakistan
The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has reported that a resident of Lakki Marwat was killed in the earthquake after the roof of the room collapsed.
Pakistan Extends Condolences
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has expressed condolences over the lives lost to the earthquake in Afghanistan. The Prime Minister said that that “relevant authorities are working to support Afghanistan in this time of need.”
Deeply grieved to learn about earthquake in Afghanistan, resulting in loss of innocent lives. People in Pakistan share the grief & sorrow of their Afghan brethren. Relevant authorities working to support Afghanistan in this time of need.
— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) June 22, 2022
Read more: Earthquake Jolts Islamabad, Rawalpindi & Peshawar.
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