Afghanistan earthquake death toll rises to 2,200

"Rescuers have recovered hundreds of bodies from mountainous areas of southeastern Afghanistan, which was hit by a major earthquake at the weekend, taking the death toll to more than 2,200, according to a Taliban government spokesperson. Previous estimates said some 1,400 people were killed. Taliban spokesperson Hamdullah Fitrat said on Thursday that the updated death toll was 2,205 and that search and rescue efforts were continuing."

"What we're seeing on the ground is utter devastation, a real catastrophe, John Aylieff, country director for World Food Programme Afghanistan, told Al Jazeera on Thursday. We have houses razed to the ground. Most of the casualties have been in Kunar province, where people typically live in wood and mud-brick houses along steep river valleys separated by high mountains. More than 6,700 homes have been destroyed, authorities have said."

The updated death toll is 2,205 after a magnitude 6 earthquake struck southeastern Afghanistan, with a subsequent magnitude 5.5 tremor adding to casualties. Another 3,640 people have been injured and hundreds of bodies have been recovered from mountainous areas. The worst-hit province is Kunar, where over 6,700 homes have been destroyed and many residents live in wood and mud-brick houses along steep river valleys. Tents, first aid and emergency supplies are being delivered, while helicopters and airdropped commandos assist survivors. Rough terrain, landslides and rockfall are hindering relief, forcing aid workers to walk hours to reach cut-off villages.

Read at www.aljazeera.com