Third earthquake hits Afghanistan as death toll rises above 2,200

"Hamdullah Fitrat, a Taliban spokesperson, confirmed on Thursday that the death toll from Sunday's magnitude 6.0 earthquake had risen to 2,205 up from previous estimates of 1,400 and making it one of the deadliest natural disasters to hit the country in decades. It hit the mountainous and remote eastern part of the country around midnight on Sunday, levelling entire villages where people were trapped under rubble."

"Rescuers have managed to reach villages that had been completely cut off by the disaster and bodies continued to be pulled from debris on Thursday. About 98% of the buildings in Kunar were damaged or destroyed, according to an assessment from the charity, Islamic Relief. The rough and mountainous terrain has been hindering relief efforts. Taliban authorities have deployed helicopters and airdropped army commandos to help locate and rescue survivors."

A magnitude 6.2 earthquake struck south-eastern Afghanistan on Thursday night, followed by a 5.5 aftershock that disrupted rescue efforts. More than 2,200 people were killed after a separate magnitude 6.0 quake hit around midnight on Sunday, levelling entire villages and trapping residents under rubble. Most casualties occurred in Kunar province, where roughly 98% of buildings were damaged or destroyed and many homes are built from wood and mud bricks. Landslides and rockfalls cut off roads, hampering access. Taliban authorities used helicopters and airdropped commandos for rescue. Aid workers reported long treks to reach isolated villages. Many survivors lack shelter.

Read at www.theguardian.com