Afghanistan experiences strong aftershock after earthquake kills over 1,400
A magnitude-5.2 aftershock has struck eastern Afghanistan just two days after an earthquake killed over 1,400 people and injured 3,000 others.
The earlier magnitude-six quake that occurred on Sunday has resulted in landslides, causing road blocks and complicating rescue efforts.
While helicopters have been deployed to search for survivors from the ruins in remote villages where many are feared trapped under the rubble, the Taliban government has appealed for international help, with the United Nations (UN) releasing emergency funds and the UK pledging £1m ($1.3m) in aid.
Sunday’s tremor was one of the strongest to hit the earthquake-prone Afghanistan in recent years with the Tuesday aftershock occurring 34km (21 miles) away from the country’s fifth-largest city Jalalabad, as reported by the US Geological Survey (USGS).
According to reports, Helicopters are serving as airlifts for survivors in the remote villages in Kunar province which have recorded most deaths and injuries since the incident, with rough terrains posing landing challenges for some choppers.
Recounting her experience, a survivor Bas Marjana said to news sources: “We were all in deep, peaceful sleep when… a sudden tremor struck, and the world turned upside down.” While she was rescued from underneath the rubble several family members were not so fortunate as they were buried beneath the rubble.
The incident has complicated problems for Afghanistan which prior to the quake was suffering from severe drought and an hunger crisis, with the country experiencing aid cuts especially from the US this year. The disaster could not have occured at a worse time as the Taliban government which is only recognized by Russia deal with the perilous situation.
In the wake of the quake, countries like Britain, Indian, China and Switzerland are pledging to help and sending in assistance.
