6.0 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Afghanistan’s Kunar Province, Casualties Expected in Hundreds
Afghanistan Earthquake: A devastating earthquake of 6.0 magnitude struck the northeastern Province of Kunar around midnight. Rescue teams are working tirelessly, searching through rubble from collapsed houses.
Afghanistan’s earthquake struck at a 10 km in a rugged mountainous area that borders Pakistan. Initial reports suggest that at least 30 deaths occurred in one village. However, health officials cautioned that it is difficult to get accurate numbers due to the remoteness of the affected area.
The spokesperson for the Health Ministry, Sharafat Z. Zaman, confirmed that the Afghanistan earthquake had a severe impact. He said rescue efforts continue in multiple districts across the country where the powerful tremor has destroyed homes made of stone and mud. Relief efforts have been complicated by the difficult terrain and lack of road access in these scattered communities.
Najibullah Hansif, the provincial information director, reported that hundreds of injured Afghan residents were transported to the hospital following the earthquake. Hanif confirms that “hundreds of people were injured and taken to hospitals.” He adds that the number is expected to increase as more reports come in from remote regions with little infrastructure.
Afghanistan’s earthquake was particularly devastating to communities that are known for being vulnerable to natural disasters. Earthquakes and floods have plagued Kunar for most of its history. Residents are therefore more susceptible to these catastrophic events. The earthquake in Afghanistan likely occurred at midnight, when many families were asleep.
Rescue teams have been deployed in several districts affected by the earthquake. They are working around the clock to find survivors who may be trapped under collapsed buildings. Mountainous terrain poses significant obstacles for emergency responders who are trying to reach villages affected by the earthquake quickly.
Afghanistan is particularly susceptible to earthquakes due to its geographical position. The country sits at the junction of multiple tectonic plate boundaries. The latest earthquake in Afghanistan is the latest of many deadly tremors over the decades that have killed thousands. Disaster response is often complicated by the country’s lack of resources and infrastructure.
The emergency medical services are at full capacity in Afghanistan, and hospitals continue to receive injured people from the earthquake-affected areas. The medical teams focus on the treatment of crush injuries and other traumas that are typical in earthquake disasters.
The international aid agencies are closely monitoring the situation in Afghanistan and preparing humanitarian assistance, should local authorities request it. In remote areas, it may be necessary to use specialised equipment or expertise in order to carry out thorough rescue and search operations.
Seismic Activity in Afghanistan
Afghanistan is prone to earthquakes because it lies along fault lines that connect the Indian and Eurasian plates. Mountainous terrain in Afghanistan and the use of traditional construction methods, especially mud bricks in rural areas, can exacerbate damage from earthquakes.
