Just before midnight on Sunday, Matiullah Shahab woke up to find his house in Afghanistan's remote Kunar province shaking. An earthquake measuring 6.0 magnitude struck eastern Afghanistan, claiming the lives of at least 800 individuals, according to the UN. The quake's epicenter was located 16 kilometers away, yet the tremors were felt throughout Shahab's village of Asadabad, prompting his family to stay awake in fear of their home collapsing.
The devastation was most pronounced in Nangarhar and Kunar provinces, with reports of the quake being felt as far away as Kabul and even in Pakistan's capital, Islamabad.
In the light of day, Shahab, who is also a freelance journalist and human rights activist, made his way towards the epicenter. He struggled through blocked roads and hiked for two hours to reach the hardest-hit village of Andarlachak, where he witnessed young children being treated by medics amidst chaos. The grim toll was stark; 79 fatalities were reported in Andarlachak alone, with many survivors in profound shock.
Witnessing the aftermath, Shahab reflected on the emotional state of the locals: 'Peoples' faces were covered in dust and there was a silence... They were like robots – no one could talk about it.' Although rescue efforts have included aerial support from Taliban government helicopters, access to some areas remains perilous, exacerbating the human tragedy as individuals await rescue under rubble.
Another resident, Ezzatullah Safi, described his own experience, detailing how part of his house collapsed during the quake while his children cried in fear. Many communities are in dire need of immediate support, with residents now forced to sleep outdoors, amidst a growing sense of grief and loss.
The devastation was most pronounced in Nangarhar and Kunar provinces, with reports of the quake being felt as far away as Kabul and even in Pakistan's capital, Islamabad.
In the light of day, Shahab, who is also a freelance journalist and human rights activist, made his way towards the epicenter. He struggled through blocked roads and hiked for two hours to reach the hardest-hit village of Andarlachak, where he witnessed young children being treated by medics amidst chaos. The grim toll was stark; 79 fatalities were reported in Andarlachak alone, with many survivors in profound shock.
Witnessing the aftermath, Shahab reflected on the emotional state of the locals: 'Peoples' faces were covered in dust and there was a silence... They were like robots – no one could talk about it.' Although rescue efforts have included aerial support from Taliban government helicopters, access to some areas remains perilous, exacerbating the human tragedy as individuals await rescue under rubble.
Another resident, Ezzatullah Safi, described his own experience, detailing how part of his house collapsed during the quake while his children cried in fear. Many communities are in dire need of immediate support, with residents now forced to sleep outdoors, amidst a growing sense of grief and loss.
