Johnson Progress

The death toll from the Afghanistan earthquake has risen to 812, with over 2,800 people injured across four provinces.

The Taliban-led government reported that the majority of deaths occurred in Kunar province, with 610 fatalities, while Nangarhar province reported 12 deaths.

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has expressed concern over the worsening situation, citing widespread destruction and disruption in relief efforts.

Rescue teams, including military personnel and medical staff, have been dispatched to affected areas, but rough terrain and landslides have hindered their efforts.

“The scale of devastation is unimaginable,” said a senior Taliban official in Kunar province.

“For us, the priority is not just finding the dead under the rubble, but reaching those injured.”

The official added that most dead bodies are trapped under rubble, making rescue operations challenging.

The international community has responded to the disaster, with India and China offering assistance.

Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar conveyed condolences to Afghan Foreign Minister Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi and announced that India would provide aid, including 1,000 family tents and 15 metric tons of food supplies.

The United Nations has also expressed its readiness to help those affected, warning that Afghanistan’s agriculture and food security are at risk.

The FAO estimates that over 39,000 square kilometers of wheat cultivation have been affected, putting 349,000 tonnes of Afghanistan’s staple crop at risk.

Provinces Affected are Kunar, Nangarhar, Laghman, and Panjshir

The situation remains dire, with many villages still cut off from rescue crews and aid workers reporting acute shortages of female doctors in affected districts.

The death toll is expected to rise as rescue teams continue to reach affected areas.