Earthquake: 2500 suffer casualties, 3000 homes destroyed in Paktika

SHARAN (Pajhwok): At least 2,500 people suffered causalities and about 3,000 houses were destroyed in the overnight earthquake in southeastern Paktika province, an official said on Thursday.

Dr. HekmatullahIsmat, director of public heath department, told Pajhwok Afghan News information they received so far showed that at least 1,000 people had been killed and 1,500 more wounded in Barmal and Giyan districts of the province.

He said that around 3,000 houses were damaged due to the powerful earthquake.

Most of the causalities took place in Barmal district, he said, adding that the injured were evacuated to Paktika and neighboring province’s health centers.

He added that about 38 healthcare teams were still conducting rescue operation in the area.

A resident of Giyan district, who lost seven family members to the earthquake, said his house had been destroyed completely.

Ayoub Khan, 48, told Pajhwok that that his seven dead family members included his wife, two sons, one daughter and three nephews.

He urged the government and aiding agencies to support him in such a critical situation.

Ismat said many houses collapsed in Zerok district as well, killing two persons and injuring three others.

He said those injured in the disaster were taken to Paktika hospital and health facilities in nearby provinces including Ghazni, Paktia and Kabul in cooperation with aid agencies.

He said 38 medical teams were taking part in the rescue operations and were busy treating those injured.

He said so far national and international aid giving agencies had provided medical supplies, food, tents and other relief goods to the affected families, but more aid was needed.

A resident of Giyan district’s Ouz village, Khan Momin, said he lost 10 family members to the earthquake. “I was not at home that night. When I came in the morning, I found all my family members dead. They included five children, women and men.”

He said he had so far received no assistance, but he had been told he would be assisted soon.

He called on aid giving organizations to provide shelter and food to the affected families.

Besides the bereaved families, youth and elders of the province also said the victims needed emergency assistance.

They urged the government and aid providing organizations to assist the survivors.

Tribal elder Haji Aseel told Pajhwok that a larger part of Paktika population had been affected and they needed emergency assistance.

ma