Intense earthquake shakes Afghanistan again
In the early evening of a recent day, a powerful earthquake shook the ground near Jalalabad, Afghanistan. The exact location and depth of the earthquake, as reported by various international organisations, vary slightly.
According to the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC), the earthquake had a magnitude of 5.6. However, the German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ) in Potsdam reported a slightly higher magnitude of 6.3. The US Geological Survey (USGS) places the magnitude at 6.0, with the earthquake occurring at a depth of ten kilometers.
The earthquake occurred just a few days after another devastating earthquake in the east of Afghanistan, causing widespread concern and anxiety among the local population. The tremors from this latest earthquake were felt not only in neighboring India and Pakistan but also across Afghanistan.
Rescue operations are still ongoing in the affected areas, with thousands of houses destroyed by the earthquake. Aid organizations report that many affected areas are difficult to access, hindering relief efforts and the recovery of victims.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported that entire families have been buried under the rubble due to the earthquake. The latest reports from the Taliban and the Afghan Red Crescent Society indicate around 2,200 deaths and over 3,600 injuries due to the severe earthquake. However, no reports of casualties or damage have been received yet from the earthquake near Jalalabad.
This earthquake is a stark reminder of the vulnerability of communities in seismically active regions. Aid efforts are ongoing, and it is hoped that the international community will come together to provide the necessary support to those affected by this disaster.
