Rescue operations underway as strong earthquake kills 800 in eastern Afghanistan

KARACHI, Pakistan

The death toll from a 6 magnitude earthquake that struck eastern Afghanistan late Sunday climbed to 800, as rescue operations continue, officials and local media reported Monday.

The spokesman for the interim Afghan administration, Zabihullah Mujahid, said in a statement that the number of injured also soared to 2,500.

The US Geological Survey (USGS) recorded the quake at 11.47 pm local time (1917GMT), located 27 kilometers (16.7 miles) east-northeast of Jalalabad at a depth of 8 km (5 mi).

Casualties have been reported in the Nur Gal, Sawki, Watpur, Manogi and Chapa Dara districts of the Kunar province.

The officials said the figures for the number of dead and injured are not final as they are still communicating with residents in many remote areas, while aid teams are on their way to reach those trapped under the rubble.

Roads leading to the Dewa Gul in Sawki and Mazar Dara in Nur Gul districts, in particular, have been blocked due to landslides.

At least two other earthquakes, each with a magnitude of 5.2, struck the same area following the major one, according to the USGS.

The administration has deployed choppers to rescue and airlift the injured as roads are blocked due to landslides which are preventing rescue teams from reaching several affected areas, an Information Ministry official told Anadolu.

So far, 35 flights have been conducted from Nangarhar Airport to the Kunar area, transporting 335 injured individuals to the Nangarhar Regional Hospital, with efforts ongoing to transfer the remaining, Tolo News reported.

The interim administration announced the allocation of 100 million AFN ($1.4 million) to assist the victims, state-run Bhaktar news agency quoted Mujahid.

A committee led by Rural Rehabilitation and Development Minister Mullah Mohammad Yunus Akhundzada has been tasked with coordinating the relief efforts for the quake victims.

Locals described it as one of the most powerful earthquakes to have hit the country.

Chinese president, UN chief express condolences

The UN said it is assisting the local administration in rescue and relief operations.

"The UN in Afghanistan is deeply saddened by the devastating earthquake that struck the eastern region & claimed hundreds of lives, injuring many more. Our teams are on the ground, delivering emergency assistance & lifesaving support. Our thoughts are with the affected communities," it said through the US social media company X.

UN chief Antonio Guterres expressed "full solidarity with the people of Afghanistan" over the deadly earthquake.

"I extend my deepest condolences to the families of the victims and wish a speedy recovery to those injured. The UN team in Afghanistan is mobilized and will spare no effort to assist those in need in the affected areas," he said in a statement on X.

China’s President Xi Jinping also expressed “deep condolences” to the victims of the earthquake.

He made the remarks during the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Plus meeting in northern China’s port city of Tianjin.

"I wish the Afghan government and people overcome difficulties and rebuild their homes as soon as possible," Xi said.

Afghanistan is one of two nations with the status of observer at the SCO, but was not invited to Tianjin since the international community had not yet recognized the interim administration led by the Taliban. Russia, a founding member of the bloc, is the only UN member state that has recognized the Kabul-based administration, which returned to power in August 2021.