The death toll in the devastating earthquake that hit Afghanistan and surrounding areas earlier this week has gone past 2,200, the Deputy Spokesperson
of the Taliban government said. Giving out details, Hamdullah Fitrat wrote on X: “Latest information about the casualties of the Kunar earthquake: The bodies of hundreds of martyrs have been removed in search and rescue operations in the earthquake-affected areas of Mazar-e-Dre, Chacha Gul-dre, and Manogi district of Nurgal district of Kunar. The total number of martyrs has increased to 2205 and the number of injured has increased to 3640.” He added: “Rescue and search efforts are still ongoing, tents have been installed for people in different areas and the transfer of basic and emergency aid is going on regularly.” A 6.0-magnitude earthquake had hit the mountainous areas in eastern Afghanistan on Sunday. Rescue efforts are still going on as numerous continue to be trapped under the debris. Efforts have been hindered by landslides that stranded devastated villages already barely accessible by road.
Most of the destruction from the earthquake, which struck just before midnight, took place in the province of Kunar, where dozens of villages were completely devastated. The quake struck at a shallow depth of 8 km, making it more destructive. The shockwaves were felt in Kabul and in neighbouring Pakistan's capital Islamabad.
The humanitarian group Save the Children told Al Jazeera that one of its aid teams “had to walk for 20km [12 miles] to reach villages cut off by rock falls, carrying medical equipment on their backs with the help of community members”.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday had expressed grief over the earthquake and said that India was ready to provide humanitarian assistance to those affected.
Besides India, Iran, Japan, Britain and the European Union have committed support to the victims of the earthquake.
