A terrible earthquake has hit a mountainous region, causing much destruction. The number of people confirmed dead now sits at over 1,100. Thousands more have been hurt. Rescue workers face a tough battle in the remote villages, making it hard to find and help those trapped.
The human cost keeps rising. The Afghan Red Crescent Society, a local aid group, reported at least 1,124 deaths. Another 3,251 people suffered injuries. More than 8,000 homes were flattened. Sadly, many more people might still be buried under the rubble, according to the UN’s coordinator in the area. This means the death toll could climb even higher.
This region is no stranger to powerful earthquakes. It sits along the Hindu Kush mountains, where the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates grind together. This particular quake struck just after midnight on Monday, registering a strong 6.0 magnitude. Its shallow depth of only 10 kilometers made it especially destructive. The eastern provinces of Kunar and Nangarhar felt the worst of it.
Getting help to those in need is a massive challenge. Ehsanullah Ehsan, who heads disaster management in Kunar Province, explained that rescue efforts in four heavily hit villages are done. Now, the focus shifts to even more distant mountain areas. “We can’t say exactly how many bodies are still under the debris,” Ehsan said. “Our goal is to finish these tasks quickly and start giving aid to affected families.”
The difficult terrain and bad weather make things even harder. Rescue teams struggle to reach remote spots near the Pakistan border. Many homes, built from mud and bricks, were simply wiped out. Narrow mountain roads block vehicles, though Ehsan mentioned that heavy machinery is now being brought in to clear paths.
On Tuesday, ambulances lined damaged mountain roads, trying to reach cut-off villages in Kunar. Helicopters flew back and forth, bringing in supplies and taking injured people to hospitals. Some of the wounded went to hospitals in the capital, Kabul, and nearby Nangarhar Province.
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) warned on Tuesday that thousands of children are now in danger. UNICEF is sending vital supplies. These include medicines, warm clothes, tents, tarpaulins for shelter, and hygiene items like soap, detergent, towels, sanitary pads, and water buckets.
The governing authorities have also sent soldiers to help with aid and security. This disaster adds a huge burden to them. They are already struggling with much less international aid and the return of hundreds of thousands of Afghans from neighboring countries.
UN officials shared on Monday that rescue teams are also working fast to remove animal carcasses. This prevents them from contaminating vital water sources. The World Health Organization (WHO) pointed out that damaged roads, ongoing aftershocks, and the remote location of many villages are all major hurdles for aid delivery. WHO noted that over 12,000 people have been affected by this devastating quake.
Source: Reuters