6.1 magnitude earthquake devastates Afghanistan, More than 1100 killed, 2000 injured

TownPost Desk: A 6.1-magnitude earthquake struck Paktika province in Afghanistan this morning, killing more than 1100 people and injuring 2,000 others.

Disaster management officials said the death toll is expected to rise due to information was being received late from remote hill villages.

Home Ministry official Salahuddin Ayubi said officials have launched a rescue operation and helicopters are being used to reach the injured and collect medical supplies and food.

Today’s earthquake was the deadliest since 2002.

The country’s eastern province of Paktika was most affected, with reports of significant damage from the areas of Gian, Nakai, Barmal and Zerak.

Early morning tremors were also felt in the Separai area of Khost province.

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has condoled the loss of lives in earthquake in Afghanistan. The Prime Minister tweeted:”Deeply saddened at the news of the devastating earthquake in Afghanistan today. My deepest condolences on loss of precious lives. India stands by the people of Afghanistan in their difficult times and is ready to provide all possible disaster relief material at the earliest.”

The official Indian spokesperson also expressed grief and promised all possible help to Afghanistan.

Sympathy and call for help poured on Twitter from around the world. An Afghan journalist Sayed Ziarmal Hashemi tweeted a photo of a 3-year-old girl child and said that she was the only survivor of her family as no one could be traced in her house.

The tweet has attracted the attention of the entire world as people are discussing ways to help the child.