A terrible count of lives lost keeps growing in Afghanistan. More than 2,200 people have died. Another 3,600 are hurt. This tragic news follows a string of strong earthquakes. They have shaken the nation again and again over just six days. Rescuers face huge delays in reaching those in desperate need.
Another Quake Strikes
The ground shook once more on Thursday night. A magnitude 5.6 earthquake hit the country’s remote southeastern part. It was the third big tremor in under a week. People living in Nangarhar and Kunar provinces quickly ran out of their homes. Local doctors reported 17 injured people. They were taken to the Kunar Provincial Hospital for care. The quake struck at 8:56 PM local time, or 3:36 PM GMT.
Challenges for Rescuers
Getting help to everyone is a constant fight. The rugged mountains and recent landslides make it extremely difficult. Helicopters are often the only way to deliver aid to villages far away. The ground keeps moving, too. Many aftershocks follow each major quake. A magnitude 5.5 tremor on Tuesday even forced rescue efforts to pause for a while.
The Taliban government stated that the rough land makes accessing remote areas very hard. Hamdullah Fitrat, a deputy spokesperson for the Taliban, confirmed that search teams are still working. His government has put up temporary shelters. They are also handing out essential supplies and basic medical items.
Seeking Global Help
Most countries do not officially recognize the Taliban government, except for Russia. Despite this, the Taliban has openly asked for help from other nations. The United Nations quickly offered emergency money. The United Kingdom also promised one million pounds in aid. This amount is over 43 million in local currency. These efforts show a shared desire to help during such a tough time.
A Land Prone to Tremors
Afghanistan sits right on a major fault line. The Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates push against each other there. This means strong earthquakes happen often, bringing constant heartbreak. In 2023, a magnitude 6.3 quake in Herat took over 1,400 lives. The year before, a 5.9 quake in the east killed over 1,000 people and injured more than 3,000. It seems the country is caught in a painful loop of recovery and fresh disaster.
Source: BBC