Earthquake in Afghanistan: Death toll surpasses 1000, 1500 injured; Taliban seeks foreign assistance

KABUL: More than 1000 people were killed and 1500 people were injured in Afghanistan after a massive earthquake hit the country on Wednesday. Several people are feared trapped in the ruins.

Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada said that more than 1000 houses were destroyed following the earthquake. The Taliban government has come up seeking foreign aid in the wake of the devastation in the country.

The earthquake occurred at around 1.30 am last night. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) said the epicentre was 44km from Khost city, and it measured 6.1 on the Richter scale. Search and rescue operations are ongoing and are being led by the de facto authorities. There are some pictures and videos circulating on social media in this regard.

د #پکتیکا په څلورو ولسوالیو کې بېګانۍ زلزلې له امله ۲۵۵ تنه وژل شوي او له ۵۰۰ ډېر ټپيان شوي دي.
ځايي چارواکي وايي، چې سیمې ته له ګاونډیو ولایتونو او له مرکزه هلیکوپټرې او امبولانسونه رسېدلي چې ټپيان روغتون ته انتقال کړي. pic.twitter.com/de9MMv8Dri

— Bakhtar News Agency (@BakhtarNA) June 22, 2022