In brief
A recent earthquake in eastern Afghanistan has led to over 800 fatalities, with the hardest-hit areas being Kunar and Nangarhar provinces. Survivors describe chaotic scenes of destruction, while rescue operations struggle to access mountainous regions. Eyewitness accounts reveal deep emotional scars as families mourn their losses amidst ongoing aftershocks.
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, leaving at least 800 people dead, according to the UN. Even though the epicenter was 16km (10 miles) away, Shahab's village of Asadabad trembled. He and his 23 family members fled to their garden, terrified of collapsing walls. By daylight, Matiullah, a journalist and activist, drove towards the worst-hit area, experiencing a two-hour trek on foot due to blocked roads. He arrived in Andarlachak to find children receiving medical attention in the streets, where 79 fatalities were reported. Shaken by the sight of many bodies, he mentioned feeling aftershocks 17 times. Many villagers were too shocked to speak, with faces covered in dust as they quietly mourned their losses. Rescue operations faced challenges due to the remote mountainous landscape, relying on helicopters to reach inaccessible areas. Tragically, reports surfaced of individuals dying under rubble while awaiting aid. Residents expressed their grief, with Ezzatullah Safi from Kunar noting intense tremors followed by panic. With disrupted communications and electricity, names and numbers of the deceased began to emerge slowly, continuing the atmosphere of despair. Community members, alongside volunteer rescuers, attempted to save those still trapped, while many now sleep outdoors, needing shelter from the elements. This catastrophe has unveiled the magnitude of hardship faced by the people, with stories of entire families lost, and a community grappling with the aftermath of such unprecedented loss.}
