Afghanistan earthquake death toll rises to 1,124, 3,251 injured

 Kabul: A catastrophic 6.0-magnitude earthquake that struck eastern Afghanistan has resulted in 1,411 deaths and 3,124 injuries in Kunar province alone, Zabihullah Mujahid, spokesman for the Afghan interim government, said on Tuesday.

The quake primarily impacted Asadabad city, the capital of Kunar province, and the districts of Nurgal, Suki, Watapur, Chapa Dara, and Pech Dara, Mujahid posted on his X account.

According to the official, 5,412 residential houses were destroyed in these areas.

Rescue operations face significant challenges due to the region's rugged terrain, but response teams from relevant agencies have been deployed to accelerate rescue efforts and deliver aid to those trapped or in need, Mujahid added.

Juma Khan Nayeel, head of information and publication at the Afghan Red Crescent Society, confirmed to Xinhua on Tuesday morning that 8,000 residential houses were destroyed in the wake of the devastating earthquake that struck eastern Afghanistan's Kunar, Nangarhar, Nuristan, Laghman, and Panjshir provinces.

The earthquake struck at 11:47 p.m. local time on Aug. 31, with its epicenter located 27 km northeast of Jalalabad, the capital of Nangarhar province, at a depth of eight kilometres.