Major earthquake in eastern Afghanistan leaves at least 500 dead: report

Around 500 people have been killed and 1000 more injured in an earthquake that struck eastern Afghanistan on Monday, the country’s state-run broadcaster Radio Television Afghanistan (RTA) reported.

Taliban-led health authorities in Kabul, however, said they were still confirming the official toll figure as they worked to reach remote areas.

“So far, no foreign governments have reached out to provide support for rescue or relief work,” a foreign office spokesperson said.

The quake was centred 27km (17 miles) east-northeast of the city of Jalalabad in Nangarhar province, the US Geological Survey said. It was just 8km (5 miles) deep. Shallower quakes tend to cause more damage.

Jalalabad is a bustling trade city due to its proximity with neighbouring Pakistan and a key border crossing between the countries. Although it has a population of about 300,000 according to the municipality, it’s metropolitan area is thought to be far larger.

Most of its buildings are low-rise constructions, mostly of concrete and brick, and its outlying areas include homes built of mud bricks and wood. Many are of poor construction.