- Reuters
- 5 Hours ago
Afghanistan earthquake: PM Shehbaz pledges full support as death toll tops 600
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- Web Desk
- 4 Hours ago
KABUL: Following the deadly earthquake in Afghanistan on the night between Sunday and Monday which has claimed more than 600 lives and has left at least a 1000 injured, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has offered full support to the nation.
He expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives and property and extended heartfelt condolences to the victims and their families. He added that the people of Pakistan share the grief of their Afghan brothers and sisters in this difficult hour.
Reports of strong tremors came in from Afghanistan, Pakistan, Tajikistan and India, with the epicenter being in Afghanistan. Quoting state media Radio Television Afghanistan (RTA), Reuters is reporting the figures of deceased in Afghanistan to be as high as 600, while 1000 are said to be injured. Taliban-led health authorities in Kabul, however, said they were still confirming the official toll figure as they worked to reach remote areas.
PM Sharif noted with sadness the widespread destruction across dozens of towns and assured that Pakistan, both at the governmental and public level, stands in complete solidarity with the Afghan people. He reiterated that Islamabad is ready to provide all possible assistance to support relief and rehabilitation efforts in the quake-hit areas. “We are with our Afghan brothers and sisters in their time of pain and will extend every possible support to help them recover from this tragedy,” the Prime Minister stressed, reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to assist its neighbor during this humanitarian crisis.
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According to a media report by NBC earlier, Taliban officials have said that nearly 250 people are reportedly dead, with hundreds more injured after buildings collapsed in different regions of Afghanistan due to the earthquake. BBC, however, is reporting the death toll to be much lower, at nearly 13 by Monday morning.
The earthquake was measured at a magnitude of 6 in Afghanistan, with its epicenter was located 15 kilometers deep in Afghanistan. In Pakistan, the magnitude was recorded around 5.4 on the Richter scale.
According to initial assessments, thankfully there were no immediate reports of loss of life or property damage in Pakistan. However, reports of damage and casualties have now started pouring in from Afghanistan.
A report NBC said that 250 people died in Afghanistan after buildings collapsed due to the earthquake, while BBC news is reporting the death toll is 13 so far.
The US Geological Survey reported the epicenter near Jalalabad at a depth of 8 kilometers. A second tremor, measured at 4.5 magnitude, occurred about 20 minutes later at a depth of 10 kilometers.
International media reports quoted the Nangarhar Public Health Directorate confirming that the injured were taken to a regional hospital. Afghanistan interim administration spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said in a statement on X (formerly Twitter), “Sadly, tonight’s earthquake has caused loss of life and property damage in some of our eastern provinces. Local officials and residents are currently engaged in rescue efforts for the affected people.
Mujahid said local officials and residents were carrying out rescue operations, while support teams from central and nearby provinces had been dispatched to the affected areas. “All available resources will be utilised to save lives,” he added.
Sharafat Zaman, a spokesperson for the Afghan Public Health Ministry, said on X, “Based on the information, several villages in the Nurgal district of Kunar province have been completely destroyed (Sholt, Arit, Mamagal, Wadir, and other villages) and have suffered significant damage. There is still no accurate information regarding casualties. Some injured individuals have been evacuated, and martyrs who were trapped under collapsed houses have been recovered. Efforts are ongoing.” [Translated]
SEISMIC ACTIVITY EXPLAINED
According to geologists, earthquakes result from the movement of tectonic plates that make up the Earth’s crust. These plates, including the Eurasian, Indian, and Arabian, shift due to heat and pressure built up underground. When this pressure is released, seismic waves travel outward, causing the ground to shake.
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Most earthquakes occur along fault lines where these plates interact. The release of built-up tension during plate movement is what causes the ground shaking commonly experienced during earthquakes.
Experts note that areas which have experienced significant seismic activity in the past may remain vulnerable to future events.
