Iran Press/ Asia: As rescue efforts are still ongoing to save people trapped under the rubble, Janan Sayeeq, spokesman for the Ministry of Disasters said that “many are still trapped” as a 6.3 magnitude earthquake destroyed more than 1,300 houses and “completely perished” several villages.
About six villages have been destroyed and hundreds of civilians have been buried under the debris, as the Taliban called for urgent help.
Ten rescue teams were in the area which borders Iran, Sayeeq added.
Women and children, Most of Victima
“The earthquake happened around 11 in the morning, when men were out of the houses, so the majority of those who are injured and died are women and children who were inside the houses at the time,” WHO’s Dr Alaa AbouZeid told Reuters in a video interview.
Afghanistan is frequently hit by earthquakes, especially in the Hindu Kush mountain range as it lies near the junction of the Eurasian and Indian tectonic plates.
In June last year, the province of Paktika was hit by a 5.9 magnitude quake which killed more than 1,000 people and left tens of thousands homeless.
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