Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday lamented the huge scale loss of life in a powerful earthquake that hit Afghanistan that leaving people dead and injured in the hundreds. He confirmed that India was willing to offer any humanitarian assistance and relief to the Afghan people during this crisis-stricken period.
Local authorities report that over 500 people were killed and that over 1000 were injured following an earthquake of 6.0 magnitude that hit eastern Afghanistan in the early hours of Monday. The earthquake was devastating, especially in Kunar and Nangarhar provinces. Whole villages constructed of weak mud and rock fell down, and landslides closed important paths, contributing to a further postponement in rescue and relief efforts.
To X, PM Modi wrote: Deeply saddened by the loss of lives due to the earthquake in Afghanistan. Our thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved families in this difficult hour, and we wish a speedy recovery to the injured. India stands ready to provide all possible humanitarian aid and relief to those affected.
Condolence and support had also been expressed earlier in the day by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar. He stressed that the devastating earthquake in Kunar province was a subject of serious concern and repeated that India was willing to offer its help to the Afghan people in this humanitarian tragedy.
Reports quoting the Taliban-controlling authorities pointed out that districts of Nur Gul, Soki, Watpur, Manogi and Chapa Dara in the province of Kunar were some of the worst hit. In the adjoining Nangarhar, at least nine had been killed and scores of others wounded.
Rescue teams and helicopters are already available to rescue, but the mountainous terrain structure and the destruction of infrastructure have foiled this bid. The calamity again highlights the susceptibility of Afghanistan to earthquakes, less than two years after another fatal quake tore through the country.
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