At least 600 people have died and some 2,000 have been injured after a strong earthquake of magnitude 6.0 and several replicas shake the east of Sunday night Afghanistanofficial sources reported Monday.
“In the districts of Nurgal, Sawkay, Watapur, Dara Pech and Chapi Dara, approximately 600 people have died, some 2,000 were injured and hundreds of homes were destroyed,” IHSANULLA IHSAN, Director of Information and Culture in Kunar, one of the affected provinces told Efe.
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The United States Geological Service (USGS) placed the epicenter of the main earthquake, of magnitude 6.0, 27 kilometers east of the province of Nangarhar and an eight -kilometer depth, which usually amplify the power of destruction.
The initial tremor, recorded at 23:47 on Sunday local time (19:17 GMT), followed at least two magnitude 5,2.
Rescue teams work from dawn to locate survivors between debris, although operations are hindered by land landslides that have blocked key roads in Kunar and Nuristan. The authorities fear that the balance will increase as the most remote areas will be accessed.
The earthquakes felt strongly in the eastern provinces of Kunar, Nangarhar, Nuristán and Laghman, and the jolts also reached Kabul, the capital.
The Taliban recognized the magnitude of the disaster. “Unfortunately, tonight’s earthquake has caused deaths and material damage in some of our eastern provinces,” spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid wrote on the social network.
“Local officials and residents are currently involved in rescue work. Support teams from the center and nearby provinces are also on their way, and all resources available to save lives will be used,” he added.
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In Nuristan, the authorities confirmed that residents experienced strong shaking, but assured that until now victims or material damage have been reported.
“They also felt strong tremors in the province, but so far no reports from human or material losses have been received,” said Nuristan’s Information and Culture Director to Efe.
The dead and injured number can increase in the next few hours, as rescue work progresses.
The province of Kunar, so far the most affected, is located on the border with Pakistan, in the Hindu Kush mountain range. The precariousness of roads and almost non -existent access to rural areas hinder the evaluation of damage and coordination of aid.
