Over 260 People Died After Magnitude-7.5 Earthquake Hits Northeastern Afghanistan; Aftershocks Felt In India And Tajikistan
A magnitude-7.5 earthquake hit the northeastern part of Afghanistan on Monday, resulting to more than 260 deaths with most casualties from Pakistan, BBC News reported today. Aftershocks were also felt by neighboring countries, including India and Tajikistan.
The strong earthquake brought panic amongst the affected countries. In a northern Afghan town, at least 12 schoolgirls died in a stampede after trying to vacate the school building.
According to CNN, the students were pounded in the stairwell of the school amid growing panic.
According to a report by the US Geological Survey (USGS), the epicenter of the earthquake was in Hindu Kush region located 76 kilometers south of Faizabad (India).
The USGS also released an orange warning on the strong earthquake.
"Significant casualties are likely and the disaster is potentially widespread. Past events with this alert level have required a regional or national level response," USGS said.
Authorities revealed that at least 154 people died in Pakistan, while Afghan officials said at least 74 people were killed by the strong earthquake in the northeastern provinces of the country.
Further reports revealed that the number of casualties was expected to rise as the most affected areas of the strong shaking were very isolated. Aside from that, communications were cut off after the incident.
In Kunar province, about 30 people died in the remote province in Afghanistan, as noted by The New York Times yesterday. A police officer said about 1,100 houses were destroyed after heavy rains and strong earthquake resulted to landslides in some areas.
Meanwhile, Afghan state minister for disaster management affairs Wais Ahmad Barmak said around 4,000 houses were either damaged or totally destroyed by the strong earthquake. He added that about 103 districts in 14 provinces felt the tremors.
On the other hand, the Indian government expressed their desire to help areas affected by the earthquake.
"I have asked for an urgent assessment and we stand ready for assistance where required, including Afghanistan & Pakistan," Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted in his social media account.