In brief
In the aftermath of a magnitude-six earthquake that left more than 1,400 people dead and 3,000 injured, eastern Afghanistan has been struck by a magnitude-5.2 aftershock. Rescue operations are being complicated by rough terrain and landslides. The Taliban government has appealed for international assistance as they struggle to find survivors trapped under debris in hard-hit villages. Aid agencies, including Save the Children and Médecins Sans Frontières, are mobilizing to address the urgent needs of the affected populations, particularly amidst an ongoing crisis of hunger in the region.
A fresh magnitude-5.2 aftershock has struck eastern Afghanistan - two days after a powerful quake in the same region killed more than 1,400 people and injured 3,000 others, according to the Taliban government.Rescue efforts following Sunday’s magnitude-six quake have been complicated by landslides that have blocked roads, making land travel difficult. Helicopters have been deployed to aid the search for survivors in the ruins of remote villages, where many are feared trapped under the rubble.The Taliban government - which is only recognized by Russia - has appealed for international help. The UN has released emergency funds, while the UK has pledged £1m ($1.3m) in aid.Afghanistan is prone to earthquakes, but Sunday’s tremor was one of the strongest to hit in recent years. The aftershock on Tuesday occurred at 12:29 (07:59 GMT) with its epicenter 34km (21 miles) away from Jalalabad, the country’s fifth-largest city. No reports of damage or new casualties have been confirmed.Survivor Bas Marjana recalled: 'We were all in deep, peaceful sleep when... a sudden tremor struck, and the world turned upside down.' She described a harrowing scene where she lost several family members to the quake.Aid agency Save the Children has sent medical teams to the Kunar province to rescue people in remote areas, where it said thousands are in urgent need of food, water, and shelter. In Jalalabad, patients flooded hospitals with serious injuries, as reported by local doctors.The recent earthquake struck amidst an ongoing humanitarian crisis marked by severe drought and significant cuts in aid, with nations like India, China, and Switzerland pledging support to the affected region.
