200 dead, over 2,000 hurt in Kunar earthquake

KABUL (Pajhwok): At least 200 people were killed and more than 2,000 injured in a powerful earthquake that struck eastern Kunar province, local officials said on Monday.

The earthquake occurred around midnight and was measured at magnitude 6.0 on the Richter scale by the United States Geological Survey (USGS).

State news agency Bakhtar reported that in Nurgal district, the villages of Wadir, Shomash, Masud and Areet were completely destroyed.

In addition, the Nangarhar provincial administration said that in Dara-i-Noor district, nine people died and around 20 others were injured.

Dr. Sharafat Zaman, spokesman for the Ministry of Public Health, confirmed that three villages in Nurgal district were completely destroyed, while villages including Sholt, Areet, Mamagul and Wadir suffered extensive damage.

Zabihullah Mujahid, chief spokesman for the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA), said all available resources would be deployed to rescue those affected.

In October last year, a 6.2 magnitude earthquake in Herat province caused heavy casualties and damage.

At that time, the Ministry of Disaster Management had stated that the earthquake resulted in over 2,000 casualties, and significant damage occurred in the Zindajan and Ghurian districts of Herat province. According to sources, 1,320 houses were destroyed in the earthquake.

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