Earthquake rescue teams battling to reach survivors in Afghanistan

"Rescue teams are frantically working to reach survivors following the devastating earthquake in eastern Afghanistan that killed more than 1,400 people. Countless victims are still trapped in isolated areas largely inaccessible to aid workers, authorities warned on Wednesday. The magnitude 6.0 shallow quake struck the mountainous region along the Pakistan border late on Sunday, collapsing mud-brick homes on sleeping families."

"Frightened by continuous aftershocks, residents have gathered in open areas or are desperately searching through rubble for missing loved ones. Taliban authorities report the death toll has climbed to at least 1,469, with more than 3,700 people injured, marking one of Afghanistan's deadliest earthquakes in recent decades. United Nations refugee chief Filippo Grandi stated on X that more than 500,000 people in eastern Afghanistan have been affected by the catastrophe."

"Relief efforts are severely hampered as aftershocks cause rockfalls, blocking access to remote villages and forcing families to remain outdoors, fearing further structural collapses. Everyone is afraid and there are many aftershocks, Awrangzeeb Noori, 35, told the AFP news agency from the village of Darai Nur in Nangarhar province. We spend all day and night in the field without shelter."

A magnitude 6.0 shallow earthquake struck eastern Afghanistan near the Pakistan border late on Sunday, collapsing mud-brick homes and killing at least 1,469 people while injuring more than 3,700. Hundreds of victims remain trapped in isolated, mountainous areas inaccessible to aid workers as aftershocks trigger rockfalls that block roads. More than 500,000 people in eastern Afghanistan have been affected, with Kunar province recording the highest casualties and Nangarhar and Laghman also hit. Residents are sleeping outdoors, searching rubble, and fearing further collapses. Hospitals are overwhelmed and relief operations are intensifying to deliver emergency health services and mobile medical supplies.

Read at www.aljazeera.com