Powerful earthquake rocks eastern Afghanistan, at least 10 killed

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Toll apt to rise, with important harm reported crossed mountainous portion successful eastbound Afghanistan, sources say.

A magnitude 6.0 earthquake has struck eastbound Afghanistan, with aboriginal reports indicating that astatine slightest 10 radical were killed and 20 others injured, according to sources.

The tremor shook the Kunar and Nangahar state astatine astir midnight section clip connected Monday, section sources told Al Jazeera, with important harm reported crossed respective districts successful the mountainous regions.

The sources said the toll was preliminary and that figures are apt to emergence arsenic assessments continue.

The United States Geological Survey said the 6.0 magnitude quake was centred 27 kilometres (17 miles) eastbound of the metropolis of Jalalabad successful the Nangahar province. It happened astatine a extent of conscionable 8 kilometers (5 miles).

A abbreviated portion later, different 4.5 magnitude tremor occurred adjacent Basawul successful Nangahar.

Al Jazeera’s Kamal Hyder, reporting from the metropolis of Lahore successful Pakistan, said the effect of the earthquake was felt successful a immense country of the neighbouring state too, including its Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab provinces.

“Reports from Afghanistan’s Kunar bespeak full villages person been wiped out, radical are nether the rubble and rescue operations are underway. However, this is simply a mountainous portion and the information that this was a shallow quake means it whitethorn person caused much devastation,” helium said.

“This peculiar country is prone to earthquakes. Kunar is situated close adjacent to Badakshan, which is simply a seismic zone, and determination are predominant earthquakes determination that besides shingle Pakistan. Normally, these earthquakes are rather heavy and, therefore, bash not origin overmuch damage,” helium added.

Source:

Al Jazeera and quality agencies