At least 812 people have been confirmed dead and 2,817 others injured following a 6.0-magnitude earthquake that struck eastern Afghanistan late Sunday, a spokesman for the Afghan interim government said on Monday.
Zabihullah Mujahid said most of the devastation occurred in Nurgal, Suki, Watapur, and Chapa Dara districts of Kunar Province, where 800 deaths and 2,500 injuries were reported.
In neighbouring Nangarhar Province, 12 people were killed and 255 injured, while Laghman Province recorded 58 injuries and Nuristan Province reported four.
He noted that the figures were preliminary and likely to rise as assessments continue.
The rugged terrain has hampered relief efforts, but response teams from relevant agencies have been deployed to the affected areas to speed up rescue operations and deliver aid to those trapped or in need, Mujahid added.
According to seismological data, the quake struck at 11:47 p.m. local time on Sunday, with the epicentre located 27 km northeast of Jalalabad, the capital of Nangarhar Province, at a depth of 8 km.
(Xinhua/NAN)
