More than 800 people died and more than 2,800 were injured after a strong earthquake hit eastern Afghanistan.
A magnitude 6.0 earthquake hit the province of Kunar near the Pakistan border, destroying the houses and causing widespread destruction.
According to the reports, many houses made from mudbrick collapsed, which many of the residents were trapped inside and under the houses.
Despite struggle due to impassable roads and bad weather, rescuers are now focused on reaching the affected remote places of Kunar and Nangarhar, where the earthquake hit the hardest.
Machineries, helicopters, and ambulances are being used for immediate aid.
Afghanistan’s Ministry of Health has called for international assistance as countless residents have lost their homes and are now in need of immediate aid.
The World Health Organization also announced that more than 12,000 people were affected by the recent earthquake.
Taliban forces are now working with international organizations in carrying out relief goods and rescue operations to mitigate the damage caused by the tragedy.—Chandra Salayog, Contributor