An earthquake in Afghanistan has resulted in a tragic loss of nearly a thousand lives, with hundreds of injuries reported.
The earthquake, measuring 5.9 on the Richter scale, struck today approximately 46 kilometers southwest of the southeastern city of Khōst. According to the US Geological Survey, the tremor occurred at a depth of 10 kilometers below the ground.
Authorities have confirmed at least 950 fatalities and over 600 injuries. In response to the disaster, the Taliban spokesperson tweeted that instructions were given to provide food, clothing, and medicine to those affected, and an emergency meeting was held to coordinate the response.
Afghanistan is prone to earthquakes due to the presence of an active fault line in the east, where the Indian tectonic plate moves northward and collides with the Eurasian plate. Today’s event is the deadliest since 2002 and has reportedly been felt in the capital city of Kabul.
Seismologist Richard Luckett from the British Geological Survey explains, “With a magnitude of 5.9, this earthquake would not usually cause such a high number of casualties. However, the vulnerability of the structures in this region to earthquake shaking has resulted in this devastating outcome.”
Despite the challenges posed by sanctions and limited aid operations since the Taliban regained power, the Afghan Red Crescent Society, a humanitarian organization, has been reported to be on the ground providing assistance to those affected by the disaster. The UK government has also expressed its readiness to support Afghanistan as needed, according to UK diplomat Hugo Shorter.
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