An earthquake in eastern Afghanistan has killed at least 280 people. Many people have died and been injured, especially in Paktika province, said the head of the disaster relief service Mohammad Nassim Haqqani. The quake in the night from Tuesday to Wednesday had a magnitude of 6.1.
Hundreds of people have been injured in the natural disaster. Deaths have also been reported in other eastern provinces, such as Nangarhar and Khost. Authorities there are still looking for more victims. The official death toll is likely to rise further as information from the remote mountain areas is barely getting through.
The earthquake occurred about 44 kilometers away from the city of Khost at a depth of 51 km, according to the US Geological Survey. Afghan media published photos of collapsed houses.
According to the European Mediterranean Seismological Center (EMSC), 119 million residents of neighboring Pakistan were able to feel the earthquake. There are currently no reports of casualties or damage from that country.
In January, Afghanistan was rocked by a magnitude 5.3 earthquake. At least 26 people were killed. The country continues to struggle with severe famine and poverty.