At least 255 people were killed when an earthquake slammed eastern Afghanistan early on Wednesday morning, according to the authorities.
The international community has largely left Afghanistan since the Taliban took control of the country last year in the midst of the chaotic withdrawal of the United States military from the longest war in its history. Although information remains scarce regarding the magnitude 6 earthquake that struck Paktika province, it comes at a time when the earthquake occurred.
This will very certainly make any attempts to provide help in this nation of 38 million people more difficult. The number of fatalities was reported by the state-operated Bakhtar news agency, which also said that rescuers were on their way by helicopter. According to a tweet sent by the director-general of the news agency, Abdul Wahid Rayan, at least 90 homes have been levelled in Paktika, and it is feared that scores of people are buried under the debris.
casualties were seen being transported onto helicopters in the region of Paktika, which is located close to the Pakistan border. The victims were then evacuated out of the area. Images from the province that were extensively shared online showed locals digging among broken clay bricks and other debris while standing in front of their damaged stone homes. Bakhtar shared video on social media showing a local resident being given intravenous fluids while sitting on a plastic chair outside the ruins of his house, as well as other locals lying unconscious on gurneys.
At least 255 people were killed when an earthquake slammed eastern Afghanistan early on Wednesday morning, according to the authorities. The international community has largely left Afghanistan since the Taliban took control of the country last year in the midst of the chaotic withdrawal of the United States military from the longest war in its history. Although information remains scarce regarding the magnitude 6 earthquake that struck Paktika province, it comes at a time when the earthquake occurred.
This will very certainly make any attempts to provide help in this nation of 38 million people more difficult. The number of fatalities was reported by the state-operated Bakhtar news agency, which also said that rescuers were on their way by helicopter. According to a tweet sent by the director-general of the news agency, Abdul Wahid Rayan, at least 90 homes have been levelled in Paktika, and it is feared that scores of people are buried under the debris.
casualties were seen being transported onto helicopters in the region of Paktika, which is located close to the Pakistan border. The victims were then evacuated out of the area. Images from the province that were extensively shared online showed locals digging among broken clay bricks and other debris while standing in front of their damaged stone homes.
Bakhtar shared video on social media showing a local resident being given intravenous fluids while sitting on a plastic chair outside the ruins of his house, as well as other locals lying unconscious on gurneys.
