UPDATE: A powerful new 5.2-magnitude earthquake struck eastern Afghanistan today, October 10, 2023, compounding the devastation in a region still reeling from a catastrophic quake that killed over 1,411 people. The latest tremor, confirmed by the US Geological Survey, hit near Kunar province, an area already devastated by a 6.0-magnitude quake just days earlier.
The epicenter of today’s quake was approximately 27 kilometers (17 miles) from Jalalabad, at a depth of 8 kilometers, raising concerns about increased damage in a country where many homes are vulnerable to collapse. Officials report that the aftershocks continue but have yet to result in additional casualties.
Zabihullah Mujahid, chief Taliban government spokesman, confirmed that the death toll from the initial quake has climbed to 1,411 in Kunar alone, with thousands more injured. The situation is dire, with over 3,124 injured and the humanitarian crisis intensifying. “The scale of need far exceeds current resources,” warned Indrika Ratwatte, UN humanitarian coordinator for Afghanistan.
Rescue efforts remain hampered as emergency workers struggle to reach remote areas, with many villages still inaccessible due to rubble. In Kunar, more than 5,400 houses were destroyed, prompting villagers to join rescue teams in searching for survivors. “I’m searching here, but I didn’t see him,” said Obaidullah Stoman, a local resident overwhelmed by the destruction. “It was very difficult for me to see the conditions here.”
The humanitarian response is further complicated by Afghanistan’s ongoing crisis, as international aid has dwindled since the Taliban assumed power in 2021. The European Union has stepped in, pledging 130 tonnes of emergency supplies and €1 million ($1.2 million) in aid. However, experts warn that funding cuts are crippling response efforts amid one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises.
Rescue operations are ongoing, with volunteers and emergency workers using their bare hands to clear debris in hopes of finding survivors. Hospitals in Nangarhar province are overwhelmed, with over 600 injured patients admitted since Sunday night, according to Dr. Rahmatullah Khaksar. “Most of the patients were trauma patients,” he stated, highlighting the urgent medical needs in the region.
Afghanistan is no stranger to seismic activity, particularly in the Hindu Kush mountain range, but the recent quakes have led to unprecedented devastation. The international community watches closely as the situation unfolds, with many fearing the impact on the already vulnerable population.
As rescue efforts continue, all eyes are on the government and aid organizations to provide the necessary support to those affected by this tragedy. Immediate action is crucial to mitigate the suffering of hundreds of thousands of Afghans facing an uncertain future amidst these natural disasters.
