Afghanistan Quake Death Toll Passes 1,400

The death toll from a powerful earthquake in eastern Afghanistan has risen past 1,400, with more than 3,000 people injured, Taliban government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said on social platform X, the Associated Press (AP) reported.

The quake struck several provinces, flattening villages and trapping residents under rubble. (Photo: The Red Cross Society of The Republic of China (Taiwan)) 

Rescuers are in a “race against time” to reach the mountainous, remote area devastated by Sunday’s 6.0-magnitude quake, a UN official warned, cautioning that casualties could rise exponentially.

The quake struck several provinces, flattening villages and trapping residents under rubble. Most homes, made of mud bricks and wood, were unable to withstand the shock. Rough terrain continues to hamper rescue and relief operations.

“We cannot afford to forget the people of Afghanistan who are facing multiple crises, multiple shocks, and the resilience of the communities has been saturated,” said Indrika Ratwatte, the UN’s resident coordinator for Afghanistan.

He urged international assistance, stressing: “These are life-and-death decisions while we race against time to reach people,” Jamey Keaten also reported for AP.