Afghan earthquake: At least 280 killed

Afghan earthquake: At least 280 killed

A magnitude 6.1 earthquake shook Afghanistan early Wednesday, killing at least 280 people and injuring hundreds more, officials said. The US Geological Survey (USGC) said the quake struck about 44 km (27 miles) of the city of Khost in Pakistan.

Most of the confirmed deaths were in the eastern Afghan province of Paktika, where 255 people were killed and more than 200 wounded, interior ministry official Salahuddin Ayubi said.

In Khost Province, 25 people were killed and 90 were taken to hospital, he said.

The state-run Bakhkar News Agency reported the death toll and said rescue workers were arriving by helicopter.  Abdul Wahid Rayan, director-general of the news agency, said on Twitter that 90 houses had collapsed in Paktika and that dozens of people were believed to be trapped in the rubble.

More than 500 km earthquake was felt in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India. Eyewitnesses said the quake-affected Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan, and Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan.

"We welcome the help of any international organization," said a spokesman for the Afghan Foreign Ministry.

The epicenter was reported at a depth of 51 km, with a magnitude of 6.1.

#BREAKING: As many as 280 people lost their lives and over 600 others were wounded following earthquake in #Paktika and #Khost province on Tuesday night, local officials told #BNA.
The death toll is likely to rise, local officials and residents said. pic.twitter.com/ca10Y8w476

— Bakhtar News Agency (@BakhtarNA) June 22, 2022