Earthquakes hit Paktika’s Gayan district thrice, no casualties

SHARANA (Pajhwok): Earthquakes struck the Gayan district of southeastern Paktika province thrice since yesterday, collapsing walls of homes, but there were no casualties, officials and residents said on Saturday, rekindling memories of a deadly earthquake six months ago.

Abdullah Jan, logistics official at the earthquake relief camp in Gayan district, told Pajhwok Afghan News three earthquakes hit the district since yesterday, which some agencies measured 5.6 magnitude on the Richter scale.

He said the tremors caused old walls of some houses to collapse, but did not cause any casualties as most people, survivors of the previous earthquakes, still lived in tents.

“The first quake occurred yesterday afternoon, the second at 9:30pm last night and the third at 4:30am in the morning. We are assessing financial losses caused by the quakes.”

Local residents also said strong earthquakes were felt in the district three times since yesterday.

Abdul Wali and Khairuddin, two residents of the district, told Pajhwok: “Six months ago, our houses were destroyed in a powerful earthquake and we dug caves in the ground to protect ourselves from cold. In yesterday’s earthquake, these caves and the remaining walls of some houses collapsed but thankfully no one was injured.”

Matiullah Mansoor, director of Paktika Disaster Management Department, also confirmed there were three earthquakes in Gayan district, which caused financial losses.

He said investigations were underway to determine how much financial damage the earthquake caused.

More than 1,000 people were killed and tens of thousands made homeless after a powerful quake struck Gayan, Barmal and Spera districts on June 22

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