At least 812 people have been confirmed dead and 2,817 others injured in a 6.0-magnitude earthquake that struck eastern Afghanistan, Zabihullah Mujahid, spokesman for the Afghan interim government, said on Monday.
Mujahid reported that the majority of the devastation occurred in the Nurgal, Suki, Watapur, and Chapa Dara districts of Kunar province, with 800 confirmed deaths and 2,500 injuries.
In neighboring Nangarhar province, 12 people were killed and 255 were injured, while Laghman province recorded 58 injuries and Nuristan province saw 4 injuries.
The casualty figures are initial estimates and are likely to rise as evaluations progress, the official stated.
The rugged terrain has posed significant challenges for relief teams, but response units from relevant agencies have been deployed to the affected areas to expedite rescue operations and aid delivery to those trapped or in need, Mujahid added.
The earthquake struck the eastern part of Afghanistan at 11:47 p.m. local time on Sunday, with the epicenter located 27 km northeast of Jalalabad, the capital of Nangarhar province, at a depth of eight km. ■