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Over 1,400 dead and 3,000 injured after deadly earthquake hits Afghanistan
On the third day of rescue operations in Afghanistan, hopes of finding survivors from the deadly earthquake are fading, while thousands of displaced families live in precarious conditions.
A magnitude 6 earthquake struck the country from Sunday night to Monday, followed by additional tremors near the Pakistan border, plunging families into renewed horror. The Taliban authorities reported 1,411 deaths and 3,124 injuries, mainly in Kunar province, with Laghman and Nangarhar also affected.
In the Nurgal district of Kunar, people remain trapped under debris, making rescue efforts difficult. Landslides block access to some villages, forcing aid groups like Save the Children to walk up to 20 kilometers carrying medical equipment to reach isolated communities.
The Ministry of Defense has organized 155 helicopter flights in two days to evacuate approximately 2,000 injured people and their relatives to regional hospitals. A mobile clinic in Mazar Dara provides emergency care, but survivors lack shelters.
Humanitarian aid is limited due to recent budget cuts, primarily from the United States, affecting UN agencies and NGOs. The WHO reported a shortfall of $3 million for emergency response. UN agencies warn of potential epidemics among displaced and vulnerable populations.
Afghanistan, located in the seismically active Hindu Kush mountain range, has experienced frequent earthquakes. The region has recorded 12 earthquakes above magnitude 7 since 1900, according to the British Geological Survey.