The Taliban have appealed for international aid after a devastating earthquake in eastern Afghanistan killed more than 1,400 people and left thousands injured. A second earthquake of magnitude 5.5 struck on Tuesday, compounding destruction in the region.
The initial 6.0-magnitude quake on Sunday destroyed entire villages in Kunar province, which borders Pakistan. Rescue teams are struggling to reach remote mountainous areas due to rough terrain and heavy rain, with many locations still inaccessible more than 24 hours later.
Authorities expect the death toll to rise further as more isolated areas are reached. The disaster has hit a country already suffering from a severe economic crisis after the Taliban takeover in 2021, with international aid sharply reduced due to hardline policies such as bans on female education and employment.
In Ghazi Abad village, Nurgal district, homes have been reduced to rubble. One resident, Abdullah, said: 'There is not a single standing room visible. The full extent of the earthquake’s impact will become clearer in the coming days.' Many villagers are searching for survivors by hand, with limited resources.
Military rescue teams are ferrying the wounded to hospitals via helicopter, with 40 flights transporting 420 casualties. However, experts urge the international community to provide support, emphasising that the country's rescue organisations are barely functional.
