Afghanistan experienced another earthquake this morning, marking the third tremor within 24 hours. The recent quake, which occurred at 3:16 AM, measured 4.9 on the Richter scale. This follows earlier earthquakes of magnitudes 5.8 and 4.8. Tragically, the death toll from the devastating 6.0 magnitude earthquake that struck the Kunar province on August 31st has now climbed to over 2200.
The increase in fatalities comes after the recovery of hundreds of bodies from the destroyed homes following the initial earthquake on August 31st. A representative of the Taliban government confirmed this on Thursday.
The powerful earthquake of magnitude 6.0 on Sunday (August 31) caused widespread damage across multiple provinces. Many villages were decimated, and residents were buried beneath the debris of mud, brick, and wooden structures unable to withstand the force. The majority of casualties occurred in Kunar, where communities reside in river valleys nestled amidst high mountains.
Rescue and search efforts continue. Tents have been erected for the displaced, and essential medical assistance is being provided. The distribution of vital supplies is also underway. Obstacles such as poor infrastructure and financial constraints are hindering the relief efforts, prompting aid organizations to appeal for greater international support.
The epicenter of the earthquake was situated 27 kilometers from Jalalabad, Afghanistan’s fifth-largest city, at a depth of roughly 10 kilometers. The resulting tremors caused the collapse of homes constructed from mud and stone. The effects of the earthquake were felt as far as Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan, some 400 kilometers away. Remote mountainous areas, characterized by limited mobile connectivity and road blockages due to landslides, have been significantly impacted.