Over 250 killed in 6.0-magnitude earthquake in Afghanistan

PESHAWAR, SEPTEMBER 01 (STC): A 6.0-magnitude earthquake in Afghanistan has left at least 250 people and over 500 injured, reports appearing in cross section of media quoting Taliban officials said Monday. There are fears that the death toll may mount as the rescue operation is underway.
Reportedly, the earthquake struck 17 miles from the city of Jalalabad near the border with Pakistan around midnight local time (3:30 p.m. ET Sunday),
Because the earthquake hit a remote mountainous area, “it will take time to get the exact information about human losses and damage to the infrastructure,” said a report quoting Sharafat Zaman, a spokesperson for the Afghan Public Health Ministry.
“We have launched a massive rescue operation and mobilized hundreds of people to help people in the affected areas,” Zaman said.
Since the initial quake, at least five aftershocks ranging from 4.5 magnitude to 5.2 magnitude have hit the area throughout Monday, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
Notably, Afghanistan is especially vulnerable to earthquakes as it sits on top of several fault lines where the Indian and Eurasian plates meet. The mountainous terrain of eastern Afghanistan is also prone to landslides, making it harder for emergency services to carry out rescues.
Reports said, this quake was especially devastating as it hit at a shallow depth of 5 miles, making it far more destructive even at moderate magnitude.

(Straight Talk Communications)