Disaster

Earthquake in eastern Afghanistan kills at least 255

Seetao 2022-06-22 16:17
  • The earthquake occurred late at night, many people died in their sleep
  • Local officials say they are trying to find survivors from collapsed houses and exhume the remains of the dead
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At 1:24 a.m. on June 22, 2022, Afghanistan time, a 5.9-magnitude earthquake in eastern Afghanistan has killed at least 255 people and injured more than 150 people in the country (some foreign media said the earthquake magnitude was 6.1). At present, the death toll from the earthquake is still likely to rise.

The earthquake occurred about 44 kilometers from the southeastern city of Khost, near Afghanistan's border with Pakistan, the report said. The quake was felt in many parts of Afghanistan, Pakistan and India, according to the Euro-Mediterranean Seismological Center. The U.S. Geological Survey said seismic records showed the quake had a focal depth of 10 kilometers.

A spokesman for Afghanistan's interim government said on social media: "Unfortunately, a severe earthquake occurred in four districts of Paktika province, causing hundreds of compatriots casualties. We ask rescue agencies to immediately dispatch rescue teams to the affected areas. , to prevent the disaster from getting worse.”

Casualties were reported in Balmar, Chirok, Nika and Gyan districts in Paktika province, with more than 500 wounded in total. Editor/He Yuting